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Statue of George Washington, 
Sub-Treasury, New York. 



STORIES 



OF COLUMBIA 



WILL JL GLASCOCK 



" All private virtue is the public fund ; 
As that abounds, the state decays or thrives ; 
Each should contribute to the {general stock ; 
And who lends most is most his country's friend." 

Jephson. 




NEW YORK / 

D. APPLETON AND COMPA*NY 
1895 



K 



Copyright, 1894, 
By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 



tn3 



PREFACE. 



Columbia abounds in scenery sublime and 
beautiful, and her history is nch in lessons of 
heroism and patriotism. The story of her dis- 
covery, trials, triumph, and progress finds in the 
young eager and loyal listeners. This book is 
presented to the boys and girls of Columbia with 
the hope that it may touch their lives, and cause 
them to feel a greater pride in their country's 
achievements and a deeper love for her institu- 
tions. 

The author here gratefully acknowledges his 
obligations to Lee O. Hams, who has so gener- 
ously assisted him in many ways, and has written 
the introductory stanzas to the several sketches ; 
and to Arnold Tompkins, Cyrus W. Hodgin, and 
W. H. Mace, who have so kindly advised and en- 
couraged him in the preparation of this work. 

W. H. G. 



COjSTTENTS. 



I.— The Sea Kings 

II.— Columbus pleading the cause of America 
III.— Columbus in the King and Queen's gardens 
IV.— Columbus in poverty and in chains 
v.— The Red Man of the forest and plain 
VI.— The Mound Builders .... 
VII.— Our Pilgrim Fathers 
VIII.— Our unkind mother .• . 
IX.— The father of American liberty , 
X.— The friend of American liberty . 
XI.— The daughters of the Revolution . 
XII.— The pioneers of the Mississippi Valley 
XIII.— Two famous rides .... 
XIV.— Some naval heroes .... 
XV.— Some American boys of genius 



1 

10 

19 

29 

36 

52 

69 

82 

101 

114 

127 

138 

148 

158 

181 



LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS. 



FACING 
PAGE 



Statue of George Washington . . . Frontispiece 

Ships of the Northmen 4 

Columbus before the Court of Spain .... 14 

Landing of Columbus 18 

Indian Village . 42 

On Board the Mayflower 75 

"Both Regiments or None" 99 

Washington at Monmouth 110 

General Lafayette 118 

Daniel Boone 142 

Sheridan's Ride 156 

Battle of the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis . 164 

Chase of the Constitution 168 

A Modern Reaper and Harvester 190 



STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE SEA KINGS. 

From a land where Aurora is the queen of night, 

And banners the sky with flame, 
Like a fierce sea eagle in distant flight 

The bark of the sea kings came. 
No fear of the unknown sea had they, 

Nor dread of the breakers' roar, 
As they chased the light of the flying day 

To the sands of the western shore. 

Among the snows of northern Euro})e is a 
large peninsula. It dips far down into the stoi-my 
Atlantic and reaches far up into the icy Ai'ctic. 
Seas and gulfs cut it off from the land on the east. 
Near the western side extends a long range of 
mountains whose tops are ahvays covered with 
snow^, and down whose sides are ever-creeping 
fields of ice. At a distance these mountains ap- 
pear like frozen waves throwm upon the land by 
the angry ocean. Leaping down through the clefts 

in the mountain sides are many rivers formed from 

1 



2 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

tlie meltino^ ice and snow. A thousand waterfalls 
make sweet music all the year round, and their 
silver spray catches the northern sunbeams and 
throws them back in numberless rainbows. Here 
and there are beautiful lakes of clear water. The 
valleys are covered with large forests of birch 
and pine. 

This is a wonderful country. It has been 
called the '^ Land of the Midnio-ht Sun." Here in 
midsummer the sun shines day and night. At 
midnight it can be seen just above the horizon ; 
then it sinks from sight for a few minutes, and 
the twilight blends with the dawn, bathing the 
whole landscape in a flood of crimson and gold. 
Then no stars are seen and the moon's pale face 
gives no light. The summers are just long enough 
for the flowers to bloom and die and for the farmer 
to gather in his harvest. The birds make a short 
visit, sing their farewell song, and hui'ry off to 
warmer lands. The days grow shorter and shorter 
until the sun disappears. Then come the long, 
beautiful nights. The stars come out. The moon 
sheds her light over the wonderful scenery ; and 
the heavens are aflame with the northern lights 
as they flash and flicker in these cold, icy regions. 

One thousand years ago this wonderful land 
was the home of the Northmen. They were a 
brave, \\ild people, who loved their country with 



THE SEA KIXGS. 3 

all its bleak mountains and its long, cold winters. 
When all the rest of Europe was groaning under 
the yoke of slavery they were a fi-ee people, gov- 
erned by their own laws. Before this time they 
knew nothing about God. They believed there 
were many gods, who were all the children of one 
great being called Odin. Everything they saw 
was the work of the gods, and every sound was 
the sound of their voices or the echo of their move- 
ments. Thor was god of the thunder. The dark 
stoiTQ clouds were his angiy brows, the lightning 
was the fierce flashing of his eyes, and the thunder 
was the rumbling of his mighty chariot as he drove 
his swift steeds over the mountain tops. The ice- 
bergs were the cows of some powerful giants who 
lived far to the north. Balder was the god of 
peace. AVhen the sun disappeared and the long 
nights set in, they said some wicked giant had 
slain the good Balder, and had tluis brought dark- 
ness upon the world. When the sun again ap- 
peared and brought to them warmth and light, 
they said Balder had come to life. 

In 872 Harold the I^air, an ho was king of this 
country, tried to take from the Northmen their 
liberties, and by the sword compel them to for- 
sake the gods they had loved so long and had so 
long worshiped. Much as they loved the land of 
their childhood, ^vith its wild, beautiful sceneiy, 



4 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

they loved more their freedom. They had heard 
of Iceland in the midst of the ocean ; so they deter- 
mined to leave their own country and seek a home 
in this wintry isle. They had sailed on almost all 
the seas of Europe, and were not afraid of the 
strano:e, wild ocean with all its monsters. Like 
our Pilgrim Fathers, they sought and found a 
home where they would be free to think and 
act. 

Let us look at this new home of the North- 
men and learn something^ of their strangle sur- 
roundings. The central part of the island is ele- 
vated very much above the coast. Great columns 
of stone rise one above another and are covered 
with ice and snow. In the sunlig-ht these col- 
umns, with their crystal coverings, appear like 
large temples with roofs and windows of glass. 
There are many lakes in the hollows of the rocks. 
Under the fields of snow and ice are hidden vol- 
canoes, w^hich melt their coverings and cause the 
rivers to overflow. The water in the lakes and 
wells rises and falls with the movements of the 
ocean. There are numerous geysers, wdth waters 
of green, blue, and red. From these the water is 
often thrown to the height of two or three hun- 
dred feet. Standing above all these is Hecla, the 
Cloak Mountain. At times he shakes the whole 
island with his deep, hoarse rumblings, and wav- 



THE SEA KiyGS. 5 

ino- his flaming; torch hisfh above his head, sends 
forth such clouds of smoke and ashes as to hide 
the sun and cover the ishind with darkness many 
days. 

The people lived in the valleys along the coast, 
and from early childhood were accustomed to hear 
the murmur of the ocean ^vhen at rest, and to 
Avatch its mad fury when lashed by the storm. 
In the midst of such scenes as these, and those 
they had left behind, it is not strange that the 
Northmen became a bold and fearless people. 
Though they were great in strength and power- 
ful in arms, they were kind and chivalrous toward 
their women. They were true friends, but dan- 
gerous enemies. They were well fitted to sail 
upon unknown seas and visit new lands. 

For many years after the settlement of Ice- 
land reports came to her people of another land 
lying westward. These reports w^ere brought by 
sailors who had been driven out of their way by 
the western wdnds which frequently blew in that 
latitude. 

About 983 a man named Erik the Red came 
from the old Norseland of northern Europe and 
settled in Iceland. He, too, had heard of this 
western land, and desired to know^ more about it. 
In 984 he set sail for this strange land, and found 
and explored it. He remained there two years, 



(5 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

then returned proudly to Iceland. He had dis- 
covered a country unknown to civilization. He 
had stood where no white man had been before 
him. He had seen what before had been hidden 
from tlie eyes of all his race. He told many won- 
derful stories of the country he had discovered, 
and called it Greenland, though it produced but 
little except snow^ and ice. He gave it this name 
that he might persuade others to settle there. 

Afterward Erik and all his friends moved to 
Greenland. Among these was Herjulf, whose son 
had gone on a visit to the old home of the North- 
men. When the son returned and learned that 
his father had gone to Greenland, he decided to 
follow him. He did not wish to compel his sailors 
to make a voyage on unknown seas to a strange 
land, so he asked how many were willing to go. 
Every man said, " I ! " Soon after he started, the 
winds changed and drove him far to the south. 
He came into a thick fog which hid everything 
from view for several days. When the fog cleared 
a^vay he saw land in the distance. He knew it was 
not Greenland, for it was level and covered with 
trees. He had heard that Greenland was fringed 
with mountains bold and snowy. He saw the land 
three times on this voyage, but did not go ashore. 
After sailing nine days toward the northeast he 
reached Greenland and told his people what he 



THE SEA KIXGS. 7 

liad seen. Many believe that the land first seen 
by Herjiilfson on this voyage is where the city of 
Boston now stands. 

Lief Erikson, the son of Erik the Red, desired 
to leai'n something of the land discovered by Her- 
julfson and his men. He bought the ships of 
Herjulfson, and immediately set sail on a voyage 
of discovery and exploration. He landed many 
times and explored the surrounding country. He 
sailed as far south as ]\rassachusetts, where he again 
landed. He had never seen a country like this. 
His life had been spent among the mountains in 
the cold I'eQ-ions. Here he found larc^e forests 
scented with the odor of wild flowers and joy- 
ous with the music of many birds. The branches 
of the trees were covered with vines heavy with 
ripened grapes. This caused him to name the 
country Vineland. In the spring he returned to 
Greenland and told many things about the lands 
he had visited. 

A brother of Lief Erikson, named Thorwald, 
made a voyage to Vineland the next year. He 
remained there three years, when he was killed 
in a battle with the natives. Here in the wilder- 
ness his companions buried him, and set up two 
crosses to mark the place where he lay. He was 
probably the first white man buried in America. 
AVhen he landed he said, '^ Here is a beautiful spot, 



8 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

and here I should like well to lix my dwelling." 
Near this same spot, more than eight hundred years 
afterward, there was dug from the ground a large 
skeleton clad in armor. Many persons believe this 
to be the skeleton of Thorwald. You should read 
Mr. Longfellow's beautiful poem, The Skeleton in 
Armor. In this he makes the skeleton say : 

" Far in the northern land, 
By the wild Baltic's strand, 
I, with my childish hand, 
Tamed the ger-falcon ; 
And, with my skates fast-bound, 
Skimmed the half-frozen sound 
That the poor whimpering hound 
Trembled to walk on." 

After the burial of their chief the sailors silently 
and sadly departed for their home in the cold 
north regions. 

In the year 1007 Thorfinn married Gudrid, the 
sister of Lief Erikson and Thorwald. She per- 
suaded him to leave the cold, dreary country of 
Greenland and settle in Vineland, where there 
are lone: summers and sing-ins: birds and bloom- 
ing flowers. So they sailed for this country, of 
which they had heard so much, taking with them 
one hundred and fifty men and seven women. 
They also took a large number of cattle and 
sheep. They lived here three years ; but the 
natives were so hostile that they vv^ere compelled 



THE 8EA KIXGS. 9 

to leave Vineland and return to the bleak shores 
of Greenland. 

After the return of Thorfinn and his company 
the voyages to America became less and less fre- 
quent, until they ceased altogether. The colony 
in Greenland was abandoned, the wild flowers 
covered up the grave of Thorwald, the voyages 
of the sea kings were forgotten, and it was left 
for Christopher Columbus to open the gates of 
the New AN'orld to the civilization of the Old. 



CHAPTEE 11. 

COLUMBUS PLEADIXa THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. 

Perversely blind, the scoffing bigots spurned 

The plea of genius humbled to its knees, 
Nor saw the star of empire where it burned, 

A beacon light beyond the Western seas. 
But he, whose soul o'erleaped the centuries 
And saw the future with prophetic eyes, 
Compelled the veil of mystery to rise, 
And gave the world's horizon reach of boundless skies. 

The bold sea kino-s of Iceland had seen North 
America and explored its coast, but Europe knew 
nothing of the two great continents of the New 
World. They lay unknown beyond the blue wa- 
ters of the Atlantic which the sailors thought to 
be full of monsters so great as to be able to swal- 
low the largest vessels. No ships had ventured 
beyond the groups of islands which were not far 
out from the mainland. The story of the New 
World with its great forests, its numerous lakes, 
its beautiful rivers, and its wild red men had never 
been told in Europe until Columbus and his brave 
crew had crossed and recrossed the Atlantic and 
told it to the King and Queen of Spain. 

10 



COLUMBUS PLEADING THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. H 

Very little is written of tlie early boyhood of 
Columbus. His father was poor and almost un- 
known. It w^as left to the son to make the family 
name famous by the discovery of the New World. 
Genoa is supposed to be the place of his birth, 
though it is doubted by many. The time of his 
birth is also in doubt. Some writers say he was 
l)orn in 1436, and others try to prove that he was 
born in 1446. We know that he lived near this 
time ; the exact date of his birth is not important 
to us. He grew to manhood with but little edu- 
cation, yet he had a i)urpose and was honest and 
earnest. These brouuht to him success and honor. 

History first speaks of Columbus as a sailor lad 
about fourteen years of age. He had spent all his 
young life near the sea, so we are not surprised to 
hear of him as a sailor. After this w^e often catch 
glimpses of him. Sometimes he is engaged in com- 
merce along the shores of Africa ; sometimes he is 
in the king's service fighting the bold sea robbers 
that are so numerous in the Mediteri'anean Sea ; 
and later we see him making maps and charts to 
suppoi-t himself and his aged father, and at the 
same time educating his younger brothers. 

He devoted the spare UK^ments of his busy life 
to study. He read the writings of Marco Polo and 
Sir John Mandeville, and through them was led to 
believe the earth is round. He knew of the rich 



12 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

spice islands near tlie coast of southern Asia, and 
believed lie could reacli them by sailing westward. 
He did not dream of the two Americas and the 
great Pacific which stretched away to the Asiatic 
coast many thousand miles away. He thought the 
earth to be much smaller than it is and that east- 
ern Asia lay much nearer western Eurojoe than it 
really does. He studied astronomy and geogra- 
phy, that he might know more of the world, and 
that he might be able to convince others that he 
was right. 

There were at this time other men who were 
interested in the study of geography and astrono- 
my. Prince Henry, of Portugal, established a col- 
lege for the teaching of these subjects. Learning 
of this, Columbus went to Portugal. Here he mar- 
ried the daughter of an explorer. His wife encour- 
aged and assisted him in his studies, which he pur- 
sued with the eagerness of a child. In addition to 
his studies he frequently went on voyages along 
the coast of Africa, that he might learn of the sail- 
ors what they knew both of the land and the sea. 

The more he traveled and studied, the more 
earnestly did he cling to his idea that the earth is 
round. So firmly did he believe this to be true, 
that he determined to sail around it. But he was 
poor and could not purchase the necessary ships. 
To the King of Portugal he explained his belief 



COLUMBUS PLEADING THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. 13 

and asked him for assistance. The kinsr submitted 

o 

the matter to a council of learned men. After dis- 
cussino- it several months the council declared that 
the earth could not be round, and that it would be 
folly to attempt such a voyage as that planned by 
Columbus. Disappointed, but not discouraged, he 
returned to his native country and applied for aid, 
but was acrain refused. 

The earnestness of Columbus in presenting his 
cause to the council of the Kins: of Portuc^al con- 
verted the kin^r to his belief. lie thousfht he misfht 
bring great honor to himself and his country if he 
should discover a new route to the East Indies and 
prove to the people that the earth is round. So, 
immediately after Columbus had departed, he se- 
cretly prepared and sent out an expedition of dis- 
covery. The expedition was a failure, as it de- 
served to be. 

What Columbus believed he believed earnest- 
ly, and what he did he did earnestly. He permit- 
ted no obstacle to keep him back or turn him aside 
from his purpose. Hoping still to find some one 
who would trust and aid him, in 1486 he set out 
on foot to visit the court of Spain. On his long 
journey he sto^iped at the door of a Franciscan 
friar, who gave him bread, and hope for the future. 
This humble Christian ever remained his faithful 
friend, and afterward greatly aided him in secur- 



14 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

iug the assistance of Queen Isabella. He reached 
the capital of Spain ragged, hungry, and penniless. 
A second time he maintained himself by making 
maps and charts. 

After many days of anxious waiting he was 
permitted to see the king and queen. They called 
together their council to hear his story. He came 
before these learned men clad as a peasant, and 
Avith all the eloquence of his devoted soul pleaded 
the cause of the New World. We must admire 
the humble sailor as he thus pleaded before this 
council of wise men. The council heard him 
through, then adjourned without giving him an 
answ^er. 

At this time the king and queen were engaged 
in a war against the Moors. They were trying to 
drive from Spain this cruel people who lived in 
strong castles among the mountains. The king 
was commander of the army and always w^ent with 
it to battle. The queen went wdth her husband, 
and in this manner the court moved from place to 
place. Columbus became a soldier in the king's 
army and with it marched into the mountains. He 
thus braved all the dangers of war that he might 
be near the court and urge his cause, should an op- 
portunity be offered him. In 1491 he again ap- 
peared before the learned council, which admii'ed 
his earnestness but rejected his cause. 



COLUMBUS PLEADING THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. 15 

He had labored, waited, and lioped in Spain 
for five long years, only, to be disappointed. He 
now determined to turn to France for assistance. 
He started on foot to leave the countiy, but his 
old friend the friar persuaded him to remain until 
another effort could be made in his behalf. The 
fi^iar went in person to the queen and spoke for his 
fiiend. The effort was successful. The queen re- 
quested Columbus to return, and sent him money 
with which to })repare himself for the journey. 

He arrived at court just in time to see the cap- 
ture of the last strong castle of the Moors by the 
Spanish arms and the surrender of " the Crescent 
to the Cross." Tlie n()l)le queen met him kindly. 
She was so touched by his simple eloquence that 
she declared, " I undertake the enterprise for my 
own crown of Castile, and will jjledge my private 
jewels to raise the necessary funds." Eighteen 
long years had Columbus spent in going from court 
to court. He had hoped and been disappointed. 
He had labored and fasted. How welcome must 
have been the kind ^vords of the good Queen Isa- 
bella ! 

Many difficulties yet awaited him. The ship- 
owners refused to let their ships go upon such a 
perilous voyage. The sailors feared to leave their 
homes and friends to sail far out upon an ocean 
which they believed to be inhabited by great mon- 



16 STORIES Of COLUMBIA. 

sters. Columbus could secure neitlier men nor ves- 
sels until tlie king commq^ded his officers to take 
tlie ships by force and compel the sailors to pre- 
pare for the voyage. In this manner the Pinta, 
Nina, and Santa Maria were secured and manned 
for the expedition. On Friday morning, August 
3, 1492, all was ready. A multitude of people 
stood on the shore to watch the ships spread their 
white sails to the summer breeze. Flags fluttered 
from the masts. The pilots were at their wheels. 
The sea w^as calm. Tearful farewells were said 
with dismal forebodings, and just as the morning 
sun broke through the mist that fringed the shore 
the three small vessels sailed — they knew not 
where. . 

The vessels stopped at the Canary Islands and 
remained three weeks. They then set sail upon 
an unknown ocean. As the last of the Canaries 
w^as left behind, the bravest of the crew wept. 
After sailing many days they were caught by the 
trade winds and wafted smoothly along. To the 
inexperienced sailors this w^as a new source of dan- 
ger. They believed these winds would carry them 
on and on, and, though they should escape the 
monsters of the deep, they would not be able to 
return. When they reached that portion of the 
sea which is covered with grasses and weeds, 
they felt sure that this was the home of those 



COLUMBUS PLEAD IX a THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. 17 

monsters they bad so greatly feared. But the ves- 
sels sailed slowly and safely through this ocean 
meadow and were again safe upon the open ocean. 

At the close of each day, after the sun had 
sunk into his watery bed and darkness had fallen 
upon the face of the deep, the sailors would sing 
the evening hymn ; then all except those on duty 
would retire to dream of the land ahead and the 
friends and loved ones at home. How solemn 
must have been that hymn in the midst of an un- 
known ocean, with none to hear save Him " who 
formed the sea and the dry land " ! 

The cry of land was heard many times, and all 
eyes were strained to catch a glimpse of the wished- 
for shore, and as many times did the men return 
disappointed to their posts of duty. As the days 
passed and the ships sped swiftly and smoothly on 
their course, the men were frequently made glad 
by flights of birds which became more and more 
numerous. Fresh plants floated by. Columbus 
felt sure that he was neariiig land. Tlie evening 
hymn was sung as usual, but few of the men re- 
tired. Columbus took his position aloft, that he 
might keep watch for the expected land. At two 
o'clock, Friday morning, October 12, 1492, he saw 
a lif^ht risins: and fallino; in the distance. So often 
had his men been disappointed by the cry of land 
that he feared to trust himself. He called others. 



28 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

and tliey, too, saw tlie light. There was no sleep 
on board that night. 

As the day dawned they beheld a most beau- 
tiful landscape, covered with forests of pine and 
adorned wdth flowers of every color. On the shore 
stood groups of wondering wild people. One pro- 
longed, glad shout went up from the ships, and 
the brave Columbus wept for joy. He immedi- 
ately put off in a small boat to take possession of 
the new land in the name of the sovereigns of 
Spain. When he reached the shore he fell upon 
his knees, kissed the earth, and gave thanks to Him 
who had given him the victory. 







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CHAPTER III. 

COLUMBUS rS^ THE KLXG AND QUEEn's GARDEI^S. 

Dashed with the foam of the roaring surf, 
Or hilled by the song of the summer sea ; 

Rich with all sweets of a fragrant turf, 
Or torn by the mad wind's revelry ; 

Weeping in terror or glad with smiles — 

Such is the garden of " Beautiful I^Ies." 

The arrival of Columbus among the West 
Indies filled the simple natives with wonder. 
They stood in groups on the shore and gazed at 
his ships, which they thought to be white-winged 
birds from the clouds ; and they kissed the hands 
of the pale-faced men, whom they thought to be 
inhabitants of the skies. They were a kind, sim- 
ple people. For weapons they had wooden spears 
the ends of which had been hardened by burning 
or were tipped witli flint, and bows with arrows 
pointed with the bones of fishes and the teeth of 
animals. Some of them wore in their ears and 
noses ornaments of gold. These they gladly ex- 
changed with th-e Spaniards for beads and other 
trinkets of little value. When asked where they 

19 



20 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

got tlieir gold, they pointed to the south. They 
also told Columbus that not far to the south was 
a fierce, warlike people, who often came to their 
island and carried many of them into captivity. 

To the first island Columbus discovered he 
gave the name San Salvador. Thinking he had 
reached the East India islands, he called the na- 
tives Indians. This name was afterward given to 
all the natives of North and South America. 
They told him of other islands inhabited by a 
people richer and more powerful than themselves. 

Anxious to know more of this newly discov- 
ered country and eager for gold, Columbus gave 
his men but one day's rest at San Salvador. At 
the close of the day he began his cruise among 
the islands. He visited one after another, always 
findino" amonsf the natives the same kindness and 
simplicity. He learned from them that not far 
away was Cuba, an island much larger than any 
he had before discovered. The quick imagina- 
tion of Columbus immediately pictured a great 
country full of gold, pearls, and spices, and gov- 
erned by a rich and powerful prince. 

As soon as the weather was favorable he set 
sail for Cuba. Here he anchored in the mouth of 
a beautiful river whose banks were covered to 
the water's edge with fiowers of every hue and 
of sweetest fragrance. The scenery of this island 



COLUMBUS IX THE KIXG AND QUEEX'S GARDEXS. 21 

was far more beautiful than any lie had yet be- 
held. He declared it to be the most beautiful 
island that eyes ever looked upon, and that here 
one could live forever. However, he found no 
grand dwellings, no large cities, no rich prince, 
but a people poorer than those he had first visited. 
He believed Cuba to be a part of the mainland, 
and did not live to discover his error. 

The scenes presented to the Spaniards in this 
new land ^vere strange and beautiful. In May 
the spring rains begin, and continue several weeks. 
About noon each day dark clouds apjiear in the 
west, the islands are shaken by teiTitlc peals of 
thunder, and the rain conies down in torrents. 
Before nightfall the sky is again clear. Later in 
the year destructive hurricanes sweep over the 
ocean and the adjacent land. Following the hur- 
ricanes, the sea is angry and lashes the sh(^res with 
great fury. Quiet then settles over both the 
land and the sea, and until April the most delight- 
ful weather prevails. 

The air is soft and scented with the odor of 
ev^er-blooming flowers. The soil is rich and moist, 
and under the influence of the summer's sun vege- 
tables mature in two or three weeks. How strange 
it would seem to see boys digging potatoes and 
girls picking pease only three weeks after they 
had been planted ! Large alligators, with dull, 



22 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

dreamy eyes, lazily navigate tlie rivers of clear, 
fresh water. Near the shores of the islands the 
water of the ocean is so clear that pebbles can be 
seen on the bottom many feet below the surface, 
and darting through it can be seen fishes whose 
silvery sides reflect every color of the rainbow. 

The forests abound in birds of most brilliant 
plumage. The parrot caws from morn till night, 
and the gay woodpecker " loudly beats the morn- 
ing drum that wakes the birds." Hovering ovei 
the many-colored flowers are swarms of humming 
birds, some as large as a sparrow and others but 
little larger than a bumblebee. In the lowlands 
are armies of flamingoes, w^hich, with their scarlet 
plumage, appear like the British red-coats of the 
Revolution. Climbino^ among^ the branches of the 
evergreen trees are hosts of chattering monkeys, 
and vines bloomius; with fras^rant flowers. 

The air is so pure that in time of full moon 
the nights are almost as light as our days, and 
even the stars are so brio:ht as to cast dim shad- 
ows. When the moon and stars are hidden the 
fireflies light their lamps, which from their size 
and number take from the nights much of their 
darkness. It is wTitten, but I do not know how 
truly, that a few of these large fireflies in a room 
will make it light enough to enable one to read. 

When Columbus told in Spain the story of 



COLUMBUS IX THE KING AXB QUEEN'S GARDENS. 23 

this wonderful country, it is not strange that 
Ponce de Leo7i set out in search of a fountain of 
perpetual youth in which he could bathe and be 
young again. 

While cruising among the islands the admiral, 
as Columbus was now called, kept almost constant 
watch for new seas and new lands. He became 
wearied with Ions; watchino; and desired rest. 
One clear, calm night he warned the pilot to keep 
close watch for rocks and sand bars, and then re- 
tired. No sooner had he i2:one below than the rud- 
der was placed in the hands of an inexj)erienced 
boy. The ship was caught by a swift current and 
broken to pieces on a sand l^ar. This left Colum- 
bus with but a single ship, as the Pinta had de- 
serted him soon after his arrival at San Salvador. 

When the Indians of the nearest island heard 
^vhat had happened to Columbus and his crew, 
they came in their canoes and removed all the 
cargo to the shore. Here tliey guarded it day 
and night. The old chief received them with 
great kindness, and wept when told of their mis- 
fortunes. 

The beautiful scenery of the islands and the 
free and easy life of the natives greatly pleased 
the sailors. They looked upon the forests of food- 
bearing trees and vines burdened with berries, and 
thought of the homeward voyage with its storms 



24 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

and its hardships, and longed to stay on the 
island. They gathered around Columbus and 
begged his permission to remain. 

From the timbers of the wrecked vessel the 
admiral built a fort, and supplied it with provi- 
sions and with guns for its defense. He then pre- 
pared to sail for Europe. Before departing, he 
called around him those men who were to remain 
and earnestly urged them to obey their leader, and 
at all times to be kind to the Indians. The chief 
showed great sorrow at parting from the old ad- 
miral. The S23aniards on shore wept when they 
saw the vessel wafted out to sea on the return 
voyage, but were cheered by the hope that they 
would return in the spring with fresh supplies 
and with other friends. Alas ! when the ships re- 
turned the birds were singing and the flowers 
blooming as before, but none w^ere left to greet 
their arrival. Eleven graves in the wilderness 
told that those left behind had been slain by the 
Indians. 

It was on the 4th of January, 1493, that Colum- 
bus sailed for Spain. He carried with him a little 
gold and several Indians, whom he wished to pre- 
sent to the queen and to convert to the Christian 
relio:ion. When in mid-ocean his frail vessel was 
overtaken by a violent storm. It was carried 
hither and thither by the mad waves, which 



COLUMBUS IX THE KIXG AXD QUE EX'S GARDEXS. 25 

threatened all on board witli immediate death. 
For several days the storm raged with all its fury. 
Columbus feared his vessel would be destroved 
and his discovery lost to the world. So he wrote 
to the king and queen an account of his voyao-e 
and his discoveries. This he sealed in a cake of 
Avax, placed it in a barrel, sealed the barrel, and 
threw it into the ocean. Just before sunset a 
faint streak of light was seen in the west, and the 
sailors rejoiced that the storm was almost past. 
Tlie waves ran high many days, but the noble 
little vessel passed bravely through and carried 
the crew safely to Europe. 

A few days after landing, Columbus proceeded 
to the com-t of Spain. All along his journey the 
people thronged to see the man who had given to 
Spain a new world, and gazed with wonder upon 
the strange people he had brought with him. 
The king and queen received him kindly, and his 
return was celebrated throughout Spain. 

In September, 149:5, Columbus departed on his 
second voyage with a fleet of three large vessels 
and fourteen smaller ships. The ocean was calm, 
and the trade winds smoothly and swiftly sj^ed 
them to the West Indies. Sailing farther to the 
south, Columbus arrived at the Caribbee Islands, 
which he found to be inhabited by a fierce and 
warlike people much larger and stronger than 



26 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

those lie had before seen. He learned from some 
captives that these people often killed and ate 
tlieir enemies. 

Leaving the Caribbee Islands, he hastened to 
the island where he had left the little colony. It 
was night when he arrived off the coast. A can- 
non was fired to announce his arrival, but no 
sound came back save the echoes rollino; from the 
shore across the still Avaters. All on board watched 
eagerly for a light to appear in the fort, but all 
was darkness there. When mornino; dawned 
they hastened to the shore, only to find that all 
their friends had perished. 

In the early part of 1494 twelve ships were 
sent to Spain. With the other five Columbus 
sailed among the West Indies, discovering many 
new islands and exploring those he had before 
discovered. To the large group of small islands 
lying north of Cuba he gave the name "The 
Queen's Gardens," and called the remainder of the 
West Indies " The King's Gardens." He cruised 
among these islands until the spring of 1496, 
when he returned to Spain. 

Evil-minded men had been plotting against 
him. The king and queen received him joyfully, 
but seemed to distrust him. To them he had 
promised gold and pearls, and instead he had 
brought them a few wild red men. They did not 



COLUMBUS IX THE KIXG AXL QUEEX'S GARDEXS. 27 

then know that he had discovered a hmd rich in 
gold and diamonds. 

He was delayed two years in Spain before he 
could arrange to return. On this voyage he sailed 
farther south, and landed in South America near 
the mouth of the Orinoco liiver. Having ex- 
plored the coast of the mainland for some dis- 
tance, he returned to Isabella, a colony he had 
founded in 149^ and which he had named in 
honor of the queen. 

When Columbus returned to Spain the second 
time he left his brother as governor of the colony. 
The ships in which the admiral and his crew 
sailed to Euroj^e were scarcely out of sight ^\\\en 
the men left in the colony began to complain. 
They sa\v the Indians roaming at will through 
the forests, i^etting^ their food without labor, and 
desired to be as free as they. The complaints 
grew louder each day. At last the boldest of the 
men foniied themselves into a l)and, took up ai'ms, 
and refused to obey the governor. 

Wlien Columl)us returned he found more than 
half the colony in rebellion. He attempted to 
restore order. In doing so it was necessary for 
him to punish some of the leaders. AVhile he 
was doing that which he thought to be his duty, 
wicked men were striving to ruin him in Sj^ain. 
Many false reports were borne to the king and 



28 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

queen, and tliey sent a man named Bobadilla to 
inquire concerning the affairs of the colony. 

As soon as Bobadilla arrived he ordered Co- 
lumbus to appear before him. Columbus obeyed 
the command with the same meekness and humility 
that are shown throughout his whole life. When 
he appeared he was ordered to be placed in chains 
The old man extended his arms to receive the un- 
just reward of his labors, but nobody came for- 
ward to bind him. Finally, one whom he had 
often befriended advanced and placed the chains 
upon the hands which had been extended to him 
in kindness. Such was his reward. 



CHAPTER lY. 

COLUMBUS IN POVEKTY AND IN CHAINS. 

He gave the Spaniards half a world, 

And they repaid him with a chain ; 
Their conquering banners were unfurled 

O'er isle and continental plain. 
But, ah ! what nation e'er withstood 
The curse of black ingratitude ? 
The wealth they grasped, like ocean sands, 
Has sifted from their envious hands. 

CoLU^iBUS discovered America in 1492, and 
returned to Spain in the midst of great rejoicings. 
The whole nation sang his praises and hastened to 
do him honor. Eight years afterward he was 
brought back in chains from the countr}^ he had 
discovered. His third coming created but little 
less excitement than did his first. He was now 
an old man, and his once stalwart frame was bent 
and broken by labor and exposure. He had faith- 
fully served his adopted country, and a felon's 
chains were his reward. When the people saw 
the noble old admiral thus disgraced and dis- 
honored, their hearts were touched with pity. 
The good queen w^ept as she beheld him approach- 

29 



30 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

ing the throne with sorrow and disappointment 
written upon his face. The king and queen 
ordered him to be released from his chains, and 
promised that he should again be governor of the 
colony he had founded. Alas ! the promise was 
never fulfilled. 

While cruising among the islands on his third 
voyage to America, Columbus had observed a 
strono; current flowing: throup-h the Caribbean Sea. 
He believed this to flow from a strait through 
which he could pass to the rich spice islands of 
the Indies. He told Ferdinand and Isabella what 
he believed, and asked their permission to make 
another voyage to America, that he miglit explore 
this strait. His request was granted and he was 
authorized to fit out a fleet at once for that pur- 
pose. 

With four ships and one hundred and fifty 
men, in May, 1502, Columbus began his fourth 
and last voyage to the New World. He took 
w^ith him his son Fernando, who was but four- 
teen years of age. On this voyage lie touched 
at San Domingo and asked permission to anchor 
and repair his ships, but the governor refused 
to grant his request. He was compelled to 
put to sea with his shattered vessels, and before 
he could find other shelter a violent hurricane 
struck his ships. The storm raged with great 



COLUMBUS jy POVERTY AXD IX CHAINS. 31 

fury for several days, but all passed safely througli 
it. 

The enemies of Columbus who refused him 
shelter from the approaching storm were less 
fortunate. They had just stood out to sea on 
their return to Sjiain with a cargo of Indians and 
a larofe amount of crold, when the storm broke 
violently upon them. The vessels were dashed to 
pieces and all on board were lost almost before 
the eyes of Columbus. 

Columbus extended liis explorations along the 
mainland. He discovered no strait, but he found 
Indians far more intelligent than any he had be- 
fore seen. They lived in houses built of mud and 
stones, and had \vea[)ons made of iron. 

A^ain the admiral and his crew were over- 
taken by one of the violent storms that fre- 
quently rage in those regions. The vessels were 
tossed by the winds and battered by the waves 
until they were so shattered as to become unman- 
ageable. Tlie men were kept busy Ijaling out 
the water. The seams in the sides of the vessels 
opened wider and wider, until Columbus was com- 
pelled t(^ anchor at Jamaica. 

The Indians of this island were very friendly, 
and brought sufficient food to supi3ly the imme- 
diate wants of the Spaniards, but the supply was 
soon exhausted, and Columbus feared a famine. 



32 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

The ships were too badly damaged to be repaired. 
The only hope for assistance lay in the Governor 
of San Domingo, more than one hundred and 
twenty miles away. The sea between these 
islands was always rough and threatening. 

None but the bravest of men would dare to 
undertake such a voyage. Among the ship- 
wrecked crew was a heroic man named Mendez, 
who had many times risked his life for Columbus. 
The admiral called for volunteers to attempt the 
voyage to San Domingo. A deep silence fell on 
all, and none came forward. Then Mendez said 
to Columbus, " I have but one life to give, but I 
am willing to venture it for your service, and for 
the good of all here jDresent." These were noble 
words and bravely spoken. 

A canoe was made ready for the voyage. 
Taking letters from Columbus, Mendez embarked 
mth another Spaniard and six Indians. He coast- 
ed along the shore to the end of the island, where 
he and his companions were captured by some 
hostile Indians who determined to kill them. 
Mendez escaped and returned to the camp after 
an absence of fifteen days. 

He immediately prepared another canoe and 
began again his perilous voyage which was to 
bring aid to Columbus and his little band, or leave 
them to perish with hunger or to meet death at 



COLUMBUS IX POVERTY AXD IX CHAIXS. 33 

the hands of the hostile Indians. As the frail 
canoe put bravely out to sea there was not a cloud 
in the sky ; no air was astir ; and the sun's rays 
scorched and blistered the hands and faces of the 
men. To find relief from the burnino* sun, the 
Indians often leaped into the sea and swam after 
the boat. The salt sea w^ater made them even 
more thirsty. On the first day all the water was 
exhausted. As the second day daA\Tied, all were 
suffering from a ra!:::ing thirst. The suffering 
became greater as the sun's rays grew stronger. 
There was water all around them, yet they were 
dying from thirst. 

The sun went down on the second day, and 
still there w^as no land in sight. One Indian had 
died, and others lay panting in the canoe. Death 
seemed to be walking on the waters. While all 
w^ere despairing, the moon slowly arose out of the 
ocean. As its rays lighted uji the face of the 
deep, the thirsty men saw an island not far dis- 
tant. It was a barren, rocky island of only a few 
acres, but here they found fishes and water. 
When the land was reached the Indians were un- 
able to control themselves. They rushed to the 
water and drank so eagerly that several of them 
died. All the next day Mendez and his few re- 
maining companions rested in the shade of the 
rocks. As the sun went down they continued 



34 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

their voyage. On the morning of the fourth day 
they reached San Domingo, and delivered to the 
governor the letters from Columbus. The gov- 
ernor delayed eight long monhts before sending 
aid to Columbus and his cre^v. As no help 
came, they supposed Mendez had perished in his 
brave effort to save them, and that they were left 
to die on an unknown island. 

One year after Columbus had been driven to 
land by the wrecking of his vessels, the ships sent 
by the Governor of San Domingo arrived at Ja- 
maica. All joyfully w^ent on board and returned 
with the ships to San Domingo, w^here Columbus 
immediately prepared to return to Spain. 

With only one small ship he sailed boldly for 
Europe. The voyage was a rough and stormy 
one, and seemed to be a forecast of the remaining 
days of his life. 

In the four voyages he had discovered and 
explored the mainland of South America, and 
almost all the West India Islands. Many of these 
he named for the saints of his reliction. To some 
he gave the names of persons w^ho had befriended 
him. He called one Guadaloupe, in honor of a lady 
of that name. He discovered Santo Domingo on 
Sunday and gave it a name wdiich means the Holy 
Sabbath. The islands lying near the coast of South 
America he named Caribbee, because they were 



COLUMBUS IX POVERTY AXD IX CHAIXS. 35 

the home of those fierce people who killed and ate 
their enemies. From one island rises three moun- 
tain peaks joined together at the base. When 
Columbus beheld these, he gave to the island the 
name of Trinidad, which means Trinity — three in 
one. To commemorate the name of our Saviour, 
the first island he discovered he called San Salva- 
dor, a name which means Holy Saviour. 

The old admiral arrived in Spain broken 
d()\vn in health and sick at heart. A few days 
after his arrival the good Queen Isabella died, and 
with her was buried his last hope. Through her 
he had been able to discover the New AVorld ; to 
her he had looked for further assistance. 

As soon as he was able to travel, he was con- 
veyed to tlie court, where King Ferdinand met 
him coldly. He asked of the king that to his son 
might descend the right to govern the Indies. 
The king gave him fair promises, but they were 
never fulfilled. 

Broken in body and in spirit, the noljle old 
man died May 20, 1506. The king erected a 
monument to his memory, on which was written, 
"For Castile and Leon, Columbus found a new 
world." For Sj^ain he found a new world, for 
himself he found a grave. His body now^ rests in 
Havana, Cuba. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE RED MAX OF THE FOREST AND PLAIN". 

Untaught in wisdom's subtler arts, 
Unlearned in aught but Nature's lore, 

Such skill as forest-craft imparts, 

Such trade as comes from forest marts, 

Such law as governs fearless hearts. 
They knew, nor wished for more. 

The curse of greed, the strife for gain — 
They knew them not, for Freedom still, 

In forest shade, on sunlit plain, 

Had right of eminent domain. 

Nor yet had felt the tyrant's chain 
That binds her to his will. 

Your grandfathers have told you thrilling 
stories about the wild red men who once roamed 
through the forests and wandered over the plains of 
our beautiful country. You have also heard how^ 
they stood on the shore and welcomed Columbus 
and his pale-faced companions to the New World. 
More than four hundred years before the ships of 
Columbus touched the shores of the West Indies 
the Norsemen had met this same wild people far 
northward. When the Pilgrims landed on the 

36 



THE RED MAX OF THE FOREST AXD PL A IX. 37 

cold New England coast tliey found there many 
Indian gi'aves, and many times afterward met 
these sava2:e men in the fierce struo^i>;le of Avar. 
Brave, good men came from France and went far 
inland, where they preached to these children of 
the f(H'est. Bold seamen sailed around to our 
western coast and there found the same stran^^e 
people. Fearless men pushed far out upon the 
plains and found there the Indian and his wig- 
A\'am. 

Their canoes were on the lakes and on the 
rivers. Their wiixwams were in the depths of the 
dark wilderness and near the shores of the great 
oceans. They lived on the hot, sandy plains and 
among the cool, shady mountains. Their war- 
whoop was heard among the deep snows of the 
North and in the flowery forests of the South. 
When Columbus first looked upon these wild peo- 
ple they probably numbered twenty million in 
America. Within the United States there now 
remain not more than two hundred and fifty thou- 
sand. These have been crowded to the far West, 
where they now live on lands reserved for them 
by the Government. 

The Indians of to-day are very unlike those 
found by the first white men who came to the 
New AVorld. Civilization has greatly changed 
them. I think you would he more interested in 



38 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

learning of them as they then lived — how they 
lived and hunted and fought. 

When America was discovered, these red men 
had been living here so long that they could not 
tell of the country from which they had come, 
nor of the manner in which they had got here. 
Neither could they tell anything about the monnd 
builders who had at one time lived in America. 
They thought this country had always been their 
home, and that the Great Spirit had given it to 
them. 

They all belonged to the red race, yet they 
differed very much in size, features, and customs. 
They were divided into many tribes, and every 
tribe had its own hunting grounds. Beyond the 
limits of these its members seldom wandered ex- 
cept in times of war. Each tribe also spoke a 
different lanoruaee, and would never learn the Ian- 
guage of any other ; neither would the squaws 
and warriors marry into a tribe other than their 
own. They did not love their neighbors as they 
loved themselves. 

All Indians were fond of the chase, but were 
usually more fond of war. This warlike spirit 
has caused them to be driven from their hunting 
grounds and almost from America. In summer 
the various tribes were almost continually at war 
with their neighbors. Treaties were made, but 



THE RED MAX OF THE FOREST AND PL A IX. 39 

were soou broken. Their fighting ceased only 
witli the approach of winter. When the snows 
would come to the colder regions, all would go 
into camp and there remain until spring. Their 
enemies could then feel safe, for tliey would not 
again go on the warpath so long as the weatlier was 
cold. However, just as soon as the last snow had 
gone and the early spring flowers were beginning 
to peep through the ground, each tribe prepared 
for war. The sound of the drum was heard, the 
warriors painted their faces in many colors, all 
joined in the war dance, and the fierce war whoop 
frightened the deer from their cover and aroused 
the enemy to battle. 

Columbus found them waging war against 
each other, but from them he received the kindest 
treatment. They looked upon the white man as 
a being greater than themselves, and knelt before 
him as they did their gods. Of their simple treas- 
ures they gave him freely. They took him into 
their wis^wams and shared with him tlieir food and 
shelter. 

This simple kindness the Spaniards soon re- 
paid with unkindness. The Indian was thus 
changed from a trustful friend to a most cruel 
enemy. Pie then resolved to avenge the wrongs 
committed against him, and so entered into a 
struggle which has continued through four long 



40 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

centuries, and has almost driven liim from the 
land. Since then he has hunted the white man 
as he would hunt the beasts of the forest. He 
has attacked him with all his savage strength. He 
has spared neither women nor children. Wher- 
ever a home was unguarded, like a wild beast 
he entered and heeded not the pleadings of the 
mother or the cries of her infant. 

With his strong bow and deadly tomahawk 
he struggled to check the advance of the white 
man, but his struggle was in vain. He could not 
cope with his more intelligent enemy armed and 
equipped with swords, muskets, and cannon. Step 
by step he has retreated before the advancing foe 
and sought rest and safety among the mountains. 
His hunting grounds have become the rich fields 
of wealthy farmers. Where he once roamed 
through the dense forests, as free as the birds 
and beasts that made their homes there, now grow 
fields of waving grain and blooming orchards 
stand. Where his humble wigwam stood are 
now beautiful homes of brick and stone. Where 
but a few years ago he chased the wild buffalo 
and where he lay in ambush for the timid deer, 
are now heard the ringing of bells, the clatter of 
hoofs, and the hum of wheels from morning till 
night and from night till morning. 

He has left no tombs or monuments to mark 



THE RED MAX OF THE FOREST AND PLAIN. 41 

the place where sleeps his dead. The race has 
almost passed away, leaving but little to tell of 
their life, their struggles, their number, and their 
power. Now and then while wandering through 
the fields we may pick up an arrowhead or a 
stone hammer, which will remind us of the fierce, 
wild people who made and used them. 

In the more northern latitudes at the approach 
of winter the Indians would leave the chase and 
war]3ath and select a place suitable for a winter 
home. It was ah\'ays near some Awater course and 
usually where it might be protected from the cold 
north winds by some cliff, mountain, or thick for- 
est. Here many families would pitch their tents 
and form a village. This was to be their home 
for the ^vinter only, but they l)ecame very much 
attached to it. If by any chance an Indian 
should be kept from his home overnight he be- 
came gloomy and silent. This was his way of 
showing that he was homesick. Simple and plain 
as it was, it meant much to him and he loved 
it. Sometimes it was clean and neat, but more 
frequently it was dingy and unclean. The fire 
was usually kindled in the middle of the wigwam, 
and there was no place for the smoke to escape 
except through the door. Here he was sur- 
rounded by his many wives, all ready to obey his 
smallest wish. Here was his great family of chil- 



42 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

dren. Here lie watched and enjoyed their simple 
games. Here he ate and slept. Here he had his 
joy and his sorrow. In springtime the wdgwams 
were taken down and the Indians set out to war, 
or wandered over their hunting ground wherever 
there was pastiu^e for their ponies or game for 
their arrows. 

The long winter evenings were spent in story- 
telling, in games, and in dances. They had re- 
turned from war and from the chase to enjoy their 
rude home for a short season. They had no re- 
grets for the past and no thoughts of the future, 
but gave themselves wholly up to the enjoyment 
of the present. Each one had done some mighty 
deed, and was anxious that his friends should learn 
of it. They had no books or papers in which to 
publish their heroic deeds, so they went from one 
wigwam to another and there sang their own 
praises. Each ane told of the wonderful things he 
had done in the chase or in battle with his enemy. 
Each one tried to excel the other, and it often 
happened that they went far beyond the truth. 
If one had slain a number of his enemy, he 
would place their scalps on a pole in front of his 
wigwam to show how brave he had been in war. 
If one had taken but few scal2)s, he simply told of 
his great bravery. 

Many writers who have lived among the In- 



•^^ 




' •^L^.L'U 




^ wwm^^'-^^^Fi^mt^ .^ 



THE RED MAX OF THE FOREST AXD PLAIX. 43 

dians say that the Indian warrior ^vas always 
sullen and silent. Others who know more of him 
say this is true only when he is in the presence of 
strange white men. He looked upon them as 
greater than himself. He felt that they could not 
understand his sorrows and simple needs. In their 
presence he became confused and refused to talk. 
When alone with his people on the plains or in 
the wood he seemed a different being. lie laughed 
and joked, and danced and sang. It was only 
when some great sorrow came upon him that he 
seemed gloomy. When his heart was full of sor- 
row, his lips refused to speak. AVhen pleading 
his cause before his own people, he became earnest 
and eloquent. He did not hesitate, but poured 
out his wild, free spirit in simple, earnest speech. 
Each tribe had its own peculiar way of bury- 
ing its dead. Some erected large scaffolds 
among tlie branches of the trees, and on these 
the dead were placed. Sometimes the body was 
laid down, again it was placed in a sitting or 
standing position. Some tribes buried their friends 
in caves, and some hid their dead away among the 
rocks in the mountain sides and covered up all 
traces of their graves. Food ^\'as usually j^laced in 
the grave with the body. Bows and arrows Avere 
also placed near. When a chief died, his favorite 
dog and horse were slain and buried with him. 



44 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

If a warrior died in winter while the tribe was 
in camp, many weeks were spent by his relatives 
in mournino; over his death. If he died in time of 
the fall chase, he ^vas left unburied and unmonrned. 
The whole tribe mourned the death of a chief, but 
very few mourned the death of a squaw. Those 
who mourned the longest and loudest were the 
wives of the chiefs or great warriors. For many 
weeks these women would go each night and weep 
and howl over the graves of their husbands. 

All Indians believed in a Great Sj^irit that 
made all things and controlled all things. They 
could see his face in the sun and his eyes in the 
stars. His voice they heard in the thunder, and 
his breath was the soft summer breeze. His tears 
were the falling rain, and his smile was seen in the 
wild forest flowers. Some also believed in many 
lesser gods or spirits. There were gods of the for- 
ests who lived in the trees, and gods of the moun- 
tains whose voices they heard in the Avind or the 
mountain cascade. They all believed in a happy 
hunting ground which would be the home of all 
good Indians after death. Here were wild ani- 
mals of all kinds. That he might provide himself 
with food and protect himself against the Vvdld 
beasts that made their homes there, his bows and 
arrows were buried with him. Provisions were 
also buried with him that he might have food to 



THE RED MAX OF THE FOREST AXD FLA IX. 45 

sustain him on liis long journey to the happy hunt- 
ing grounds. His dog was to fui-nish him com- 
pany and his horse was to make easier his jour- 
ney. In that land he could be wounded and suffer 
pain, but could never be killed. There was no 
death there. 

If an Indian were killed or woimded in battle, 
his friends would risk their lives in earning him 
away that he might not be scalped. If he should 
be scalped, he could never enter the happy hunt- 
ing grounds of his fathers. If one should be killed 
in the dark, he ^^•ould be compelled forever to wan- 
der in darkness. This peculiar belief often kept 
them from making night attacks upon the first set- 
tlers of America. 

Like all wild simple pe()])le they were very su- 
perstitious. They believed in all kinds of won- 
ders, signs, and miracles. A\'hen they refused to 
furnish food to Columbus and his companions, he 
frightened them by telling them the Great Spirit 
was angry with them and at a certain hour ^\ ould 
hide his face from them. He knew there would 
be an eclipse of the sun at that hour. When dark- 
ness came creeping through the forest and the sun 
began to disaj^pear, they rushed to him with pro- 
visions and begged him to pray to the Great Spirit 
that he would be no more angry Avith them. If 
they should set out upon an important journey and 



46 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

happen to see a flock of birds with an unusual num- 
ber in it, or if it should be flying in the wrong 
direction, they would all return silently to their 
homes and await a more favorable time. Should 
they see a snake crawling in a certain direction it 
would have the same effect. If they w ere arrang- 
ing for an attack upon another tribe or upon some 
white settlement, the yelp of a fox or the howl of 
a wolf would cause them to lay down their bows 
and arrows and postpone the attack until another 
day. 

They had no calendars to reckon the months 
and years, no clocks by which to measure the hours 
and minutes, and no compasses to guide them in 
their long journeys. They reckoned the months 
by moons and the years by the seasons. They 
knew the time by the stars at night and by the 
shadows in the daytime. They could make long 
journeys through the strange, unbroken wilderness 
without becoming lost. They knew the heavens 
and were guided by the stars. They studied the 
rocks and trees, and these served them as guide- 
posts. 

In many things the Indian was like the wild 
beasts which with him made their homes in the 
forest and on the plain. He could endure all 
kinds of hardships and suffer severest pain with- 
out complaint. He would go for days without 



THE RED MAN- OF THE FOREST AXD PLAIN. 47 

food and drink wlien necessity required, but could 
eat almost any amount when he could get it. 
When at home he slept whenever he was sleepy 
and ate when he was huno-iy. However, he had 
but one meal a day. When lie felt hungry he 
would tell some one of his wives, and she would 
prepare the dinner. It did not take long to do 
this, for the pot was usually on the fire. There 
was no fine linen to spread, no china to be placed 
on the table, and no silverware to be brought from 
the closet. A [)()t of meat and vegetables was set 
in the center of the floor, and from this all the fam- 
ily ate, using their fingers as forks. 

The children of this wild race did not live as 
onr boys and girls now live. The girls had no 
dolls wath wdiich to play and no storybooks to 
read. The boys were without tops and marbles 
and had no kites to fly. Yet they had theii* simple 
games and toys, which were quite as interesting to 
them and which they loved (piite as much. Then, 
too, they loved the forest with its beauty and song, 
and the great mountains with their tops far up in 
the clouds. They watched with delight the streams 
as they leaped from rock to rock on their journey 
down the mountains to the sea. They heard the 
roar of the cataract and to them it was sweet music. 
All day long they worked or ran and shouted and 
sang in the open air. When night came on in the 



48 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

wilderness they could hear the savage growl of the 
great grizzly bear and were not frightened. They 
heard the howl of the wolf and the scream of the 
panther and were not afraid. These things were 
far better for them than all the toys in our great 
cities. These made them strong^ for the chase and 
fearless in war. 

Not all their time was spent in i^lay. As soon 
as they were old and strong enough they were 
given work to do. The girls always had the long- 
est and hardest tasks to perform. They helped 
their mothers in all their work. They dried meat 
for winter, dressed skins for clothing, worked in 
the garden, brought wood for the fire, and water 
from the spring or brook. However, they never 
had to rock the cradle or sing the baby to sleep. 
Indian babies were usually tied on boards and 
stood uj) in corners or out-of-the-way places where 
they would remain all day long and never cry or 
cause any trouble. Often at the close of day the 
mother would take her dusky babe in her arms 
and in her strano^e Indian lans-uao-e would sins; : 

" Sleep, my warrior, 
Sleep, my chieftain, 
Sleep, my little Indian brave — 
Lulled by murm'rings 
Of the forest 

And the streamlet's lapping wave ; 
While thy father's flashing arrows 



THE RED MAX OF THE FOREST AND FLAIX. 49 

Chase the deer in forest deep, 

Rest, my warrior, 

Rest, my chieftain, 

Rest within the arms of sleep. 

" Sleep, ray warrior, 
Sleep, my chieftain. 
Sleep, my little Indian hrave — 
Soothed by breathings 
Of the pine woods 

And the cool stream's rippling wave ; 
While thy mothers dreamy crooning 
Falls like music of wild streams, 
Sleep, my warrior. 
Sleep, my chieftain. 
Glide thee to the land of dreams.*' 

Each girl \n as anxious to learn 1io\n' to do all kinds 
of work, for then she might become the wife of a 
chief or of some great warrior. 

The boys were to become hunters and warriors, 
so they practiced those things that would make 
them ready for the chase and for battle. When 
they were quite young they were given the bow 
and taught how to use it. After a while they 
were taken into the woods and trained in shooting 
birds and other small animals. As they grew older 
and stronger they were expected to kill larger and 
fiercer animals. It was a proud day for an Indian 
boy when he killed his first grizzly, and a still 
prouder one when he took his first scalj). He was 
given the tomahawk and taught how to throw it, 
and the war club and taught how to wield it. 



50 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

They had but few weapons and few tools. There 
were no factories and machine shops, so each boy 
learned how to make his ow^n w eapons. As soon 
as he was large enough to sit on a horse he was 
taught to ride. His exercise ^vas very simple at 
first, but became more difficult as he grew older. 
While he was yet a boy he could cling to the side 
of his pony while going at full speed and shoot his 
arrows with wonderful aim. They also practiced 
picking up objects from the ground while their 
ponies were going at full gallop, until two of them 
riding side by side could lift a man from the 
ground. This w^as afterward useful to them, as 
they could thus pick up and carry away any friend 
who might be wounded in battle. 

The most enjoyable of all the pleasures of the 
Western Indians was the fall chase. As the cool 
days of autumn came on, everything was made ready 
for their animal hunt. Their ponies were brought 
in from the prairie, the strongest of their bows 
were selected, and their quivers were filled with 
fresh arrows. The women accompanied the men 
that they might care for the meat and the hides 
which were to furnish them food and clothing for 
the winter. 

The plains were then covered with great armies 
of buffalo. These w^ere to furnish the sport and 
the provisions. When a herd was seen grazing 



THE RED MAX OF THE FOREST AXD FLA IX. 5I 

slowly over the plain tlie women were left behind 
and the men prepared for the sport. As the buf- 
faloes grazed along, ignorant of the danger lurking 
near, the Indians stole silently near them. They 
must keep on the side of the herd toward which 
the wind was blowing, or the buffaloes would scent 
them and rush madly aAvay. This Avould spoil all 
the sport. AVhen the Indians were sufficiently 
near they would give rein to their ponies and with 
a wild whoop startle the grazing herd. Away over 
the plain they would rush in their mad fright, close- 
ly pursued by their enemy. Each Indian would 
select a buffalo, and, riding near his side, would 
pierce his heart with his keen arro\v. Then he 
would select another, and still another, until many 
hucre bodies lay scattered alonij: the line of the re- 
treat, and the chase ^vas abandoned. Sometimes a 
horse and rider were thrown and trampled under 
foot, but this only added to the excitement. 

When the chase was over the skins were re- 
moved from the dead animals, and the women left 
to cut out the choice part of the flesh and take it 
to the village, where it was dried for winter food. 
The men would also return to camp, and during 
the whole winter would tell around their camp- 
fires wondei-ful stories of the things they had done 
in the chase. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE MOUND BUILDERS. 

Whence did they come and whither did they go? 

Legend nor history can grasp the theme ; 
And e'en tradition is too young to know, 

Save that they came and vanished like a dream. 

Many curious mounds are found near the large 
rivers of the Mississippi Valley. Some are large 
and some are small. In form, some are like the 
buffalo and the elk ; others like the turtle and the 
lizard. If they could speak, they would tell us a 
w^onderf ul story of a people whose history is buried 
in their dust. They would tell us of a pow^erful 
race that lived in America when the world was 
new ; when the mountains, the hills, and the val- 
leys were not as they now are, and when every- 
thing was wild and strange. From them we 
would learn how this unknown people lived in 
villages and towns, and how they fished and 
farmed long before Romulus founded the city 
of Rome. We would also learn how they wor- 
shiped the sun, moon, and stars, and how they 

52 



THE MOUXD BUILDERS. 53 

even offered up their own people as sacrifices to 
tliem. They would talk to us about the children 
of this ancient people, and tell us of their rude, 
wild s])orts, and how they ate, where they slept, 
and in what kind of homes they lived. 

When this people came to our country, from 
what land they came, how long tliey remained, 
and how they were driven out is still unknown. 
The mounds they ])uilt still hold within their 
bosoms the secret of their birth and death. Wise 
men have long sought to know these things, but 
have failed to learn them. Yet they have re- 
cently digged into the moimds and learned many 
things of the people who made them. These men 
have dug up many skeletons and compelled them 
to tell a part of their buried history. They have 
uncovered the altars of these strange people and 
learned how they w^orshiped and offered sacrifices. 
They have unearthed tlieir tools and found out by 
what means their makers and owners lived. They 
have brought forth from the earth rude weapons 
and from them learned the story of their many 
battles. In the burial mounds have been found 
beads of shell and plates of bone and silver beau- 
tifully carved. These tell us that the builders of 
these mounds were fond of ornaments and deco- 
rations. Their pipes and dishes have been dis- 
covered in the earth, and from them these men 



54 STORIES OF C0LU3IBIA. 

of learning liave found out how they smoked and 
ate. They have examined the forms of the mounds 
and learned of the animals that then lived in the 
forests and rivers. 

It seems strange that a people so great and 
powerful should have lived a very long time in 
this country and then have passed away, leaving 
so little to tell of the story of their lives. Yet it 
will be but a short time until the Indian who 
once roamed over our whole continent will be 
known only in history. Had he been driven 
from his hunting grounds by a peoj)le as wild 
and savage as himself, his history would have 
been buried with his bones among the rocks and 
in the caves of the mountains. He would not 
have left even so much as remains of the mound 
builders to tell how he lived, hunted, fought, and 
worshiped. But he was driven out by a people 
who wrote of him a history which will always 
remain in the world. They have photograjDhed 
him, and long after the death of his race people 
will look upon his picture and learn of his fea- 
tures and dress. How fortunate it would have 
been for the world if some one had lived among 
the mound builders and had written for us a his- 
tory of their life ! 

The most interestino^ of the mounds are near 
the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers. They are 



THE MOUXD BUILDERS. 55 

not in the lowlands bordering the rivers, where 
the waters miglit wasli them away. Their build- 
ers had looked u^^on these rivers when they rushed 
over their banks and swept through the forest or 
over the plains in a roaring torrent. They thus 
learned by experience that they would not be safe 
in the valley, so they buried their dead, erected 
their forts, and built their cities and towns upon 
the higher ground. 

Men who have long wished to know the history 
of this people have studied the form, size, struc- 
ture, and arrangement of their mounds. Through 
this study they have learned for wliat purposes 
they were made, and have so named them. There 
are treaty mounds, which mark the jilace where 
two contending tribes agreed to be at peace. 
There are fortification mounds, built to keep the 
enemy from the homes of the natives. There are 
monumental mounds, erected to commemorate their 
great warriors and the mighty deeds they had per- 
formed in battle. There are burial mounds, in 
which they buried their common dead. There 
ai'e matrimonial mounds, where maiTiasres were 
performed in the presence of the people. There 
are sacrificial mounds, where the people met to 
^vorship and offer sacrifices. 

Xear the source of the Mississippi on either 
side of the river are mounds in great number. 



56 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

Men have traveled long distances to see them. 
They have examined them and named them treaty 
mounds. It is supposed that two great warlike 
tribes — one from the East and the other from the 
West — met here and contended in battle. When 
one tribe had conquered and the struggle w^as over, 
they buried theii' dead and made a treaty. In the 
treaty they agreed to become friends and unite as 
one people under one powerful king. 

After their treaty w-as made they recorded it. 
They had no written language and no paper on 
which to write, so they w rote the record in sym- 
bols upon the ground. A series of memorial 
mounds is the record, and, though made very 
many centuries ago, it can still be read. Near 
by the riverside stands a mound much larger 
than the others. It represents the power and 
glory of a mighty tribe as it came forth to bat- 
tle. It looks toward the rising sun as a symbol 
of its rising glory. As the sun comes forth in 
beauty and glory, so came they forth. Near by 
is another large mound which tells a different 
story. It faces the setting sun. As the sun runs 
its course and sets in darkness, so had their powder 
and dominion departed. 

Here also are two giant beasts each one hun- 
dred and sixty feet in length. They are joined 
together, showing that the power of the two great 



Tin: MOUND BUILDERS. 57 

tnbes had beeu united. Here are found two al- 
tars, also united. Tliey tell us that these people 
were not only to labor and %ht tos^ether, but 
they were also to worship as one people. There 
are also many other mounds representing different 
animals. Each one has its own meaning. Some 
are lying, some are walking, some are fighting, 
some are flying, some are creeping, and some are 
swimming. In the center of all these is the form 
of a large turtle. It is a symbol rej^resenting the 
great king who was chosen to govern the two 
tribes after tliey ^vere united. I wonder if he 
was as slow and homely as tlie animal wliose fig- 
ure represents him. 

Tlieir dead they usually i)lac'(Ml in the ground 
Sometimes the bodies were buried in a standing 
position, sometimes they were lying down, and 
again they were sitting. Sometimes they were 
arrano^ed in tiers one above another, and ai^ain in 
circles w^th their heads out and tlieir feet point- 
ing toward the center. Sometimes each grave 
contained a single body, and again many were 
buried in one common grave. 

In some parts of the country are very large 
burial mounds in which it is supposed they buried 
their chiefs and famous wan*iors. From the char- 
coal and ashes found in many of the burial mounds 
it has been learned that some of the tribes burned 



58 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

tlie bodies of their dead. Among the Indians there 
is a legend which tells why they gave up this cus- 
tom. A renowned chief died and all his people 
prepared for the funeral. They gathered in great 
number at the place where his body was to be 
burned. The funeral pyre was made ready. The 
body was solemnly borne in by a chosen band of 
warriors and laid upon the pyre. The fire was 
then kindled under the body. The flames crept 
nearer and nearer, and just as they touched the 
body deep darkness feE on all the land. The 
sun, which they worshiped, had refused to shine. 
They thought the sun w^as angry with them and 
had hidden his face that he might not look upon 
such a scene. This so frightened them that they 
ceased to practice this custom, and ever afterward 
placed their dead aw^ay in the ground. 

It has been learned that they not only burned 
their dead, but that they even sacrificed the liv- 
ing. They Tvorshiped the sun, moon, and stars, 
and to these offered sacrifices twice each year. 
When winter was over, and the sun had returned 
from his long southern journey to quicken the 
northern world into life, they would offer up one 
of their number as a sacrifice. Again, w^hen sum- 
mer was ended, and the time of fishing, hunting, 
and harvesting was passed, they would sacrifice 
another of their number. In the spring a man 



THE MOUND BUILDERS. 59 

was sacrificed ; in the fall a woman was the 
offering. 

These people considered it to be the greatest 
honor to be thus slain as an offering. For this 
they thought they would always be remembered. 
So many of them off'ered themselves that it was 
necessary to choose one of them by lot. How 
stranire and dreadful must have been the scene 
of sacrifice ! The hind ^vas new, the people were 
w^ild, and God was unknown. 

When the altar had been made ready, a large 
procession was formed of the j^eople who had come 
from all the country around. The chosen offering 
was led around a large circle until he came in front 
of the altar. Plere the procession stopped and the 
victim knelt. The people filled the space within 
the walls, and upon the walls there was a great 
multitude. As the victim knelt, a deep silence fell 
on all the people. There was not a sound save 
the wind as it whispered among the trees. Then 
an aged j)r()phet came slowly forward, holding in 
his hand a rude iron sword. With this he cut off 
the head of the kneeling victim and placed it upon 
the bloody altar. The hungry flames leaped up 
and consumed it ; and as the smoke from the altar 
ascended toward the heavens, a mighty shout of 
triumph went up from the gathered host. It 
rolled far away through the forest and over the 



Go STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

hills, telling that the deed had been done. The 
people then went to their homes to await the time 
of another offering. 

There are also matrimonial mounds where the 
daughters of the people were given in marriage. 
As it is in our time, a marriage was followed by 
a feast. They were not such feasts as we now 
have, but I doubt not the people enjoyed them 
quite as much. 

Plates of copper and silver have been found 
buried with many skeletons. These were beau- 
tifully carved and were doubtless worn as orna- 
ments. Near the bones taken from the burial 
mounds have also been found bands of iron and 
silver, and beads of horn and bone. From these 
it has been learned that the mound builders 
decorated themselves w^ith necklaces and brace- 
lets. Curious pipes, quaintly carved and shaped 
like all kinds of animals, have likewise been found 
in these mounds. 

Men have studied and striven to learn how 
many centuries have passed since the mound 
builders lived in America, but the secret is only 
partly known. Some learned men say they were 
driven from this country more than two thousand 
years ago. They also say that the mounds in the 
southern part of the United States were built many 
hundred years after the building of those in the 



THE MOUXD BUILDERS. Q\ 

North. They were likewise occupied several him- 
dred years after those farther north had been de- 
serted by their builders. When white men first 
visited the mounds they found large trees in great 
numbers growing upon their tops and sides. Many 
of these trees were seven and eisrht feet in diaine- 
ter and were six or seven hundred vears old. There 
w^ere also on the mounds lari^e los^s, showinu: that 
another generation of trees had grown up and 
passed away since the mounds had been used by 
the natives. 

If two thousand years have passed since these 
people w^ere last known in America, how" long 
must be the time since first they looked upon our 
country ! We learn that many and wonderful 
changes have taken place since their arrival. In 
the South have been found the skeletons of the 
mastodon, an animal very nuich like the elephant, 
but a great deal larger. This huge creature had 
disappeared from America even before the Indians 
Avere here. They knew nothing of hiin except 
what they learned from the skeletons found in 
different parts of the country. Though the skele- 
tons are found here and there, tliey are most nu- 
merous in the swampy lands of the South. Here 
they are found frequently surrounded by charcoal 
and ashes, and lying near tliem are many arrows 
such as were used by tlie mound builders. It is 



g2 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

supposed that tliis large animal became mired as 
he attempted to cross the wet, swampy lands. 
While he helplessly floundered in the mud, the 
natives would approach within a safe distance 
and shoot their keen arrows at him. Afterward 
they would build a Are around him and partly 
consume his body. By this w^e know that they 
lived here within the lifetime of this enormous 
beast. 

Human skeletons have been found more than 
a hundi'ed feet below the surface of the earth. 
These are supposed to be the skeletons of the 
mound builders. How they found a burial place 
so deep in the ground has caused much study and 
speculation. They may have been buried in the 
valley, and after a long period of time been cov- 
ered over with the soil w^ashed from the mountain 
side. Again, the rivers and streams may have 
brought fresh soil from year to year and placed it 
upon their graves. Whether thus buried by the 
•mountains or by the rivers, many long centuries 
must have passed while the burial was going on. 

From the number and arrangement of their 
mounds, it is believed that these people were 
great in number, and that many of them lived in 
towns and cities. So many people could not 
have lived alone by fishing and hunting. There 
could not have been sufficient game in the forests 



THE MOUXD BUILDERS. 63 

and fish in the rivers to supply their needs. No 
doubt some were fishermen, some were hunters, 
and some were farmers. This has been learned 
from the fish traps, weapons, tools, and other relics 
taken from their mounds. 

These mounds have also served other purposes 
than those already mentioned. Sometimes they 
were joined by strong walls, and thus formed a 
fortification which protected the natives against 
their enemies. These fortifications are usually 
found on the liigli ground overlooking the ^vater 
courses. The mounds at the corners of tlie forti- 
fications were no doubt used as lookout sta- 
tions. From their tops the people could look out 
over the land and tlie watei', and readily obser^^e 
the approach of an enemy. From these high 
towers they could signal to their friends on the 
mounds. In this manner the signal could be 
passed from city to city and from village to vil- 
lage, until the whole country was aroused and 
ready for war. They had no trained soldiers and 
no standing army. Each man was a soldier, and 
had his own simple weapons of defense. With 
these he was ever ready to defend his town and 
people against the attacks of an enemy. In times 
of peace, when they feared no danger, they used 
tliese signal stations in their hunting expeditions. 
They would mount to the tops of the mounds, 



04 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

look out for the game, and then direct the hunters 
by means of signals. 

Besides these wonderful earth mounds which 
have required so much time and labor to con- 
struct, in the southern part of the United States 
there are great mounds or banks of shells. It is 
supposed that the people in this part of the coun- 
try lived chiefly on a certain kind of shellfish. 
These they caught and ate, then threw the shells 
in piles, which grew as the years passed, until they 
became enormous banks, some of which cover 
many acres in area. Among the shells of these 
mounds human skeletons have been found. This 
has led to the belief that some tribes of the 
mound builders w^ere cannibals, and that they ate 
the flesh of their victims, then threw the bones 
among the shells. 

Man knows but little concerning the length of 
time these ancient people dwelt in the valleys of 
America. However, he does know that they lived 
here a very long time. It is supposed that at first 
they were few in number, and increased until they 
became a powerful people. Their mounds are so 
large in size and great in number that with their 
imperfect tools it would have required many gen- 
erations of these people to complete them. 

Their mounds, pipes, ornaments, and tools are 
unlike those found in any other country. So long 



THE MOUXD BUILDERS. (55 

a time had elapsed since tliey left the land 
whence they came, that they had forpfotten all the 
customs and habits of that land. They came to a 
strange country, learned everything anew, and be- 
came a peculiar people, moved and controlled by 
their new surround ino^s. 

When the mound builders came to America 
they found everything around them wikl and 
strano^e. Plants were ofrowincr, and flowers were 
bloomino; free and uncultivated in the forests and 
on the plains. The wilderness abounded in fierce 
wild animals that had never looked U23on the 
face of man. On the plains were gi'eat herds 
of horses that liad iu'\er felt man's taming^ 
touch. 

After long years of experience these people 
found that certain kinds of ])lants were useful. 
They took Indian c<>i*n from its southei-n home, 
cultivated it, and used it for food. From its 
mountain retreat they l)rouglit the potato, placed 
it in their fields and gardens, and made it a useful 
plant. Tobacco they found growing untouched 
by the animals of the plains, and cultivated it for 
the use of civilized man. Under their care wild 
flowers became domestic flo^vers, rare and beauti- 
ful. They caught and tamed many of the ani- 
mals they found roaming tlie j)rairies and in- 
habiting the Avoods. It would require many cen- 



QQ STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

turies to change so wonderfully tlie plant and ani- 
mal life of any country. 

The native land of these wonderful people is 
still unknown. Almost every waiter claims that 
this was not their first home — that the Old World 
is the land of their birth. The manner of their 
coming is quite as much of a mystery as the land 
of their nativity. Both are yet but theories. 
Some waiters think they may have lived in east- 
ern Asia, whence they could easily have come to 
America. They then tell us of the great Pacific 
Ocean current that sweeps up along the coast of 
Asia far to the north, then turns and washes the 
western coast of our continent. As this current 
brings to our shores every year parts of wrecked 
and stranded vessels, they say that it could also 
have caught the vessels of this people and brought 
them to America. Some speak of another cur- 
rent that sweeps through the Atlantic from east 
to west. They remind us that the current ^vhich 
bore Columbus and his crew to the New World 
could also have borne the rude vessels of a less 
civilized people to our land. Others think the 
mound builders might have crossed the Behring 
Strait when it was frozen over and settled in 
America. They argue that this could have been 
easily done, as at this place Asia and America ap- 
proach so near each other. As a proof of their 



THE MOUXD BUILDERS. 67 

argument, they tell iis tliat the mound builders 
came from the north and traveled the entire 
leno^th of the continent. Others still tell us of 
a beautiful continent m the Atlantic Ocean just 
west of Africa, named Atlantis. A legend tells 
us of this continent as it was in the midst of the 
ocean more than ten thousand years ago. It was 
inhabited by a warlike people that conquered a 
great part of the Old World. Afterward the con- 
tinent and all its people were swallowed up by 
an earth(juake. These men believe the story of 
this island continent, and claim that some of its 
inhabitants may have come to America before the 
destruction of their native land. 

When these people were destroyed or driven 
from our land they must have taken their secret 
with them. The manner of their departure seems 
as much a secret now as it was a century ago. 
Some learned men believe that a mighty, savage 
people swept down upon them from the north, 
drove them far to the south, and then destroyed 
them. Others claim that there is evidence that 
the whole people was swallowed up by a great 
flood. They believe that a great tidal wave rushed 
through the mountains and over the table-lands, 
which were not so lofty as they now are, and 
filled the valleys with a roaring, raging torrent in 
which the mound l)uilders perished. 



gg STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

Tliey have come and gone, and left in our land 
traces of their busy, active life. We know some- 
thing of their character and manner of living. 
We desire to know more. Let us hope that soon 
the fall story of their life may be learned and 
told to us. 



CHAPTER VII. 

OUR PILGKIM FATHERS. 

Stern in mien and stern in creed, 

Yet yearning onward toward the liglit, 
And seeking for no richer meed 

Than comes from faith in God and riglit, 
They sowed the seeds of strength, and planned 

What time has shaped to higher grace, 
And left an impress on the land 

No later weakness can efiFace. 

The Old World was surprised and aroused by 
the discoveries of Columbus. All nations were 
anxious to extend tlieir discoveries and share in 
the glory. Spain continued her explorations 
around the Gulf of JMexico. The Dutch sent 
Henry Hudson to the Kew World, and he discov- 
ered the beautiful river which still bears his name. 
Afterward they founded a colony where the city 
of New York now stands. The darino; Hudson 
forced his way among the icebergs far to the 
north, and discovered the large bay which was 
named in his honor and in whose waters he found 
his grave. The northeastern coast of the United 
States was explored by the French and named 

69 



70 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

New France. Cartier carried tlie Frencli flag still 
farther north and discovered the St. Lawrence. 
He sailed up this river to the place where now 
stands the city of Quebec, and there established a 
colony. The French also settled at Port Royal, 
Acadia. For England the Cabots explored almost 
the entire Atlantic coast of America. 

One hundred years after the death of Columbus 
there was not a single colony from St. Augustine 
in Florida to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Many 
com23anies w^ere formed in Europe for the purpose 
of founding colonies in the New World. Many 
wonderful stories of the beauty and riches of 
America were told the people, and they were 
urged to join expeditions of exploration and set- 
tlement. Those who had pleasant homes and 
were surrounded by friends did not wish to leave 
them for a home in a strange, unbroken wilder- 
ness, inhabited by wild and savage beasts and by 
a people almost as wild and savage. 

In some of the countries of Europe there were 
people who had no pleasant homes, and who were 
surrounded by their enemies. In France there 
lived a religious people who were driven from 
their homes and had their property destroyed on 
account of their religion. Many of them fled to 
the mountains, but were pursued and slain. Some 
were condemned and burned at the stake. They 



OUR PIL(}RIM FATHERS. 71 

wished to leave France, but the rulers would not 
permit tliem to go. However, a few of them es- 
caped secretly and fled to America. Here on the 
beautiful St. John's, in Florida, they made a set- 
tlement. Here they hoped to be free and happy ; 
but they were not safe even here. Some Avicked 
men followed them to their new home and killed 
them. 

In England lived a Catholic noble with the 
title Lord Baltimore. He purchased a large tract 
of land in America on which to found a settle- 
ment. He desired to establish a colony which 
would be a refuge for the j^ersecuted of all re- 
ligions and of all nations. He died just before the 
title to the land was issued. The grant was then 
made to liis son, Cecil Cahert, wlio carried out his 
father's plans. This colony was the first one 
founded in the present State of Maryland. 

A settlement was also made in Georgia for 
some of the unfortunate people in England. The 
people of that country who were too poor to j)ay 
their debts were arrested and thrown into prison. 
James Oglethorpe became interested in these poor 
people and got permission of the king to offer to 
certain classes of them a home in America. Many 
of them gladly left their prisons and their humble 
homes to find freedom and other homes in the 
wilderness beyond the Atlantic. They settled in 



72 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

the land of flowers, uear the mouth of the Savan- 
nah River. 

England was also the home of the Puritans, a 
religious sect that believed all people to be equal, 
and that no one, not even the king or queen, 
should say how they should worship God. They 
were a plain-spoken, honest, industrious people, 
w^ho desired to follow the teachings of their own 
consciences. Many long years they were perse- 
cuted and imprisoned on account of their religion. 
If they attended their own church, they were fined 
and imprisoned ; if they stayed away from the 
church of the king and queen, they were punished 
in the same manner. 

For more than a hundred years they endured 
these persecutions, which became more and more 
severe. At length they began to think upon 
their burdens, and some of them resolved to leave 
their own country and seek a home among stran- 
gers. They decided to settle in Holland, a little 
country washed up on the shores of the stormy 
German Ocean. Here was offered a home for per- 
secuted Protestants. Here with sword and mus- 
ket have been fought many of the decisive battles 
of Europe. Here came this band of Puritans, and 
with Bible and hymn book began another battle 
which lasted almost two hundred years, and finally 
resulted in the independence of America. 



OUR PILGRIM FATHERS. 73 

The Puritans who left England were ever 
afterward called Pilgrims, a name which means 
wanderers. They were strict in their conduct and 
carefully observed the Sabbath. The Dutch lived 
chiefly by commerce, and, like all commercial peo- 
ple, were careless in their habits and paid but 
little attention to the Sabbath. The Pilgrims had 
always been farmers, and could not become accus- 
tomed to the habits and occupations of the Dutch. 
They continued their sowing and planting, but the 
soil was ungrateful and \>'OLild yield them little 
grain. The climate was cold and the winters 
were long and dreaiy. Those who had property 
divided with the needy, and all became poor to- 
gether. Poverty came to every home. The chil- 
dren were taken from school and j)ut to labor 
so hard that they became old A\liile they ^^ ere yet 
young. After a stay of twelve long years in a 
foreign land, among a peculiar people ^^'ho spoke 
a stransre lano'uao^e, all were anxious to seek a 
more favorable location. 

AVhere should they go ? They loved their 
mother countrv, althouo^h she had driven them 
fi'om their homes by persecution. They longed to 
find a home in some of her colonies where they 
could preserve the purity of their language and 
train their children in the faith of their fathers. 
America offered such a home, but it lay far away 



74 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

beyond the Atlantic and was inhabited by sav- 
ages. Many argued that a people so poor could 
not make a voyage so long and expensive. How- 
ever, they were inspired with the idea of liberty, 
political and religious, and would not be defeated. 
They were encouraged by the thought of a coun- 
try where they could establish a colony wherein 
they could read their Bible and worship as they 
chose. So they decided to leave the Netherlands 
and sail for America. They were willing to brave 
the dangers of a long voyage, bear the burden of 
the expense, and face the savages of the New 
AVorld, that they might secure that for which they 
had labored and suffered so long. 

They appointed a committee to visit England 
and ask the king's permission to settle in America. 
The committee appeared before the king and 
touchingly told him of their sorrows of the past 
and of their hopes and desires for the future. 
They told him that they desired to form a settle- 
ment in the New World, where they could take 
the Bible as their guide both in government and 
in religion, and where they could worship accord- 
ing to their own belief. He refused their request, 
but promised not to trouble them in their new 
homes so long as they w^ere well behaved. 

The committee hastened to Holland and re- 
lated what the king had said. The Pilgrims were 




071 hoard the Hayfloiver. 



OUR PILGRIM FATHERS. 75 

disappointed, but they decided to rely upon the 
promise of the king and settle in America. Those 
who had property sold it and put the money into 
a common fund. A ship was hired, and one sum- 
mer morning, as the tide ^^'ent out, all who were 
to go on the iirst voyage sailed for England. Here 
they tamed until September. 

The Speedwell and the Mayflo\N er were hired 
to carry the Pilgrims to their Lew homes. Twice 
did they put to sea, and each time were compelled 
to return and repair the S};eedwell. Growing 
tired of delay, they abandoned the Speedwell and 
on board the Mayflower, September 22, 1620, left 
their friends and Eno^land forever. As this little 
band of one hundred men and women sailed from 
Enc^land, those who had driven them out little 
dreamed that the ]\Iayflower was carrying into the 
wilderness across the Atlantic a spirit of freedom 
that would one day humble the pride of England 
and estaT)lish a great repul)lic. 

On November 11th (O. S.) the ]\Iayflower an- 
chored off Cajie Cod. No friends were there to 
welcome the Pilgrims. Northward and south- 
ward along the coast as far as they could see was 
an unl^roken forest. Behind them ^vas the wide 
Atlantic. The moaning of the chill November 
winds, mingling with the roar of the ocean, made 
mournful music for them. A feeling of sadness 



76 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

took possession of eacli one. Their hearts were 
heavy, but they were brave men and devoted 
women, and none thought of returning. 

In the company was Captain Miles Standish, 
who had served as a soldier in the Old AYorld. 
He was brave as a lion, yet sympathetic as a child. 
He was chosen captain of a little band of Puritan 
soldiers. With these he went ashore and spent 
three weeks* in exploring the surrounding country. 
A place was selected for the settlement, and near 
the close of December a large house was built for 
the use of the whole company. For a time this 
was the only building. The company was after- 
ward divided into nineteen families, and a house 
erected for each family. 

Before landins;, the Pilo;rims all sio^ned a writ- 
ten agreement that a majority of their number 
should always rule, and that they would always 
be obedient to those elected as their officers. 
This agreement was the first step toward our 
Constitution, which followed almost two centu- 
ries later. 

The last day of the old year was Sunday. On 
this day all the company landed and marched to 
the little log cabin erected as a house of worship, 
and there sjDent the day in religious service. This 
was the first public worship ever held in New 
England, and this log cabin was the first house 



OUR PILGRIM FATHERS. 77 

witliiu lier borders ever dedicated to t lie Cliristian 
religion. 

Captain John Smith, of the Jamestown colony, 
had explored this territory and given to the place 
where the Pilgrims landed the name New Plym- 
outh. After all had gone on shore, they adopted 
the name given by Smith, that they might thus 
commemorate the kindness of their friends in 
Plymouth, England. 

The Mayflower now returned and left them 
alone on a strange continent, ivaching far into the 
frozen regions of the North and extending into the 
tropical regions of the South. Its forests were in- 
habited by beasts of prey and by hostile Indians. 
Tlieii' only ^\ hite neigh])ors were a few Frenchmen 
shivering among the snows of Nova Scotia and 
a like band on the St. Lawrence ; a company of 
Spaniai'ds struggling among the swamps of Flor- 
ida ; and some English gentlemen searching for 
gold along the banks of the James River in Vir- 
ginia. 

The first summer was a Ijusy one for the Pil- 
grims. Everything was new. They prepared the 
ground, and sowed and planted, that they might 
have bread for tlie coming winter. The soil was 
fruitful and rew arded them alnmdantly for their 
labor. After they had carefully gathered all the 
grain and placed it in a large log granary prepared. 



Y8 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

for it, tbey set apart the lltb day of Decem- 
ber as a day of thanksgiving. Four men were 
sent out to secure meat for the occasion. They 
returned with a number of wild fowl and a few 
deer. A company of thirty-five of their friends 
from England arrived just in time for the feast. 
A number of Indians were invited, and together 
the red men and our Pilgrim Fathers observed the 
first Thanksgiving day in America. 

While exploring the country, Captain Standish 
and his men found many graves and a few de- 
serted wigwams, but saw no Indians. A short 
time afterward small bands of Indians were seen 
lurking near the settlement, but always retreated 
into the forest when aj)proached by the whites. 

One morning in early spring the colonists were 
greatly excited by an Indian walking boldly into 
their midst, exclaiming " Welcome ! " to the Eng- 
lishmen. This was Samoset, wlio had come from 
his chief, Massasoit, to tell the Englishmen they 
were welcome to their new home. This was the 
first visitor and this was the first w^ord of welcome 
they had received in America. 

Samoset told them that a plague had carried 
off almost all the Indians of that part of the coun- 
try, and those who were left had fled in terror and 
joined themselves to their neighbors. He told 
them further that, as the teiTitory where they had 



OUR PILGRIM FATHERS. YO 

settled now belonged to no one, tliey would not 
be disturbed. Massasoit, who had sent Samoset 
to the colony, entered into a treaty with the whites 
in which he agreed that neither he nor his people 
should ever do tlie Pilgrims any harm. This 
treaty was faithfully kept by Massasoit and his 
followers. 

One day an unfriendly chief named C anonicus 
sent to Governor Bradford the skin of a rattle- 
snake filled with Indian arrows. A friendly In- 
dian explained that this was his way of declaring 
war. The Governor retunied to liim the skin 
filled with l)ullets and powder, and there was no 
war. Ilowevei', the Pilgrims became alarmed on 
account of the unfriendly actions of the Indians, 
and built around the settlement a high ])alisade. 
On a hill within the inclosure they built a fort 
with a flat roof. On the roof they placed their 
cannon, and used the room below for a church. 

Thus they worshiped with their Bibles in one 
hand Avhile with the other they grasped their 
swords. 

Plfty years passed before the Pilgrims were 
disturbed by the Indians. Governor Bradford, 
the faithful Massasoit, and the brave Ca])tain 
Standish had long been in their graves. Their 
places were filled by young men who had grown 
with the colonv and had been accustomed to hard- 



80 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

ships. Tliey had become acquainted with the 
wilderness and loved it for the freedom it gave 
them. Their wives and children were there, and 
they were ready to defend them with their lives. 

Many colonies Were now scattered along the 
coast of New England. These were exposed alike 
to the attacks of the red men. Knowins: how 
helpless they would be against the great hordes 
of savages surrounding them, in 1643 a number of 
them formed a union that they might better pro- 
tect themselves against the attacks of the Indians. 
This union was another step toward the Declara- 
tion of Independence and our national Constitu- 
tion. 

An Indian chief named King Philip for a long 
time had been jealously watching the growth of 
the colonies, and determined to kill all the colonists. 
He visited all the Indians of New England and 
joined them in a league against the whites. The 
colony of New Plymouth was saved by a friendly 
Indian, who told the Governor about the plot of 
King Philip. The other settlements were not so 
warned, and many of their houses were burned and 
many of their people were slain. Plymouth joined 
with the other colonies in punishing the Indians 
for their cruelty. The war lasted two years, end- 
ing only when King Philip was hunted into the 
swamps and killed by an Indian guide. 



OUR PILGRIM FATHERS. 81 

Throuoch sickness and deatli, tliroui:i:li Indian 
wars and dreary ^vinters, our Pilgrim Fathers con- 
quered the wilderness and built for themselves 
homes. Xo drones were there. A noble purpose 
had brought them to America, and all toiled and 
suffered to accomplish that purpose. Churches, 
schools, and colleges were erected. The spirit of 
freedom was cultivated. The seed so\Nn in the 
wilderness that l)leak December (hiy grew, 1)U(1- 
ded, bloomed, and ])(>re fruit in the Declaration 
of Independence, the Ilevolutionary War, and the 
Constitution of the United States. 



CHAPTER VIIL 

OUR UNKIND MOTHEE. 

When Liberty, by mother hands oppressed, 
Threw off her galling chains and sought the West, 
The tyrant could not brook to see her free, 
And reached with envious hands across the sea ; 
But back recoiled in pain and baffled ire. 
Burned by the coals of Freedom's altar- fire. 

The first half of the eigliteentli century found 
thirteen Ensrlish colonies nestlino; amonsr the hills 
and in the valleys along the Atlantic. They had 
been settled by different nations, but all had 
passed under the control of the powerful British 
Lion. The Dutch had come from the land of 
wooden shoes and windmills, and founded a col- 
ony in New Netherlands. From the land of Odin 
had come the sturdy Swede and settled in Ne^v 
Sweden. The Eno^lish had founded colonies from 
New Hampshire to Georgia. The Calvinist, the 
Catholic, the Puritan, and the Quaker had each 
brought with him his own peculiar religious be- 
lief ; yet they all worshiped the same God, and 

82 



OUR UyKIXD MOTHER. S3 

were inspired by tlie same love of religious and 
political liberty. When the time of oppression 
came, they ^vere alike ready to defend their liberty 
and their homes. 

Though five hundred miles of wilderness lay 
between Massachusetts and Virginia, and though 
their people differed so nuich in character, they 
early became earnest friends. They had come 
from the same country; were governed by the 
same king ; had passed through the same trials ; 
spoke the'^same language ; and had brought with 
them to the Kew World the same love of liberty. 
When the mother country passed o[>pressive laws, 
these colonies were always the first to oppose 
them. The other American colonies looked to 
these for advice and direction. 

The colonists of Virginia had l)een taught by 
Captain John Smith that none should eat who 
would not work. In a few years the forests 
around Jamestow n disappeared and the little town 
became surrounded with beautiful fields of wheat 
and corn. Tobacco was also raised in great abun- 
dance. Sir Walter Ealeigh liad learned from the 
Indians the use of tobacco and taught the people 
of England how to smoke. The plant had never 
been cultivated in England, so all the tobacco 
raised in Virginia was shipped there and ex- 
chauo-ed for clothing and other goods manufac- 



g4 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

tured in the motlier country. As the trade grew 
to be profitable, Parliament passed a law that all 
tobacco should be taxed before it could be sold in 
Enofland. This caused Viro^inia to send her to- 
bacco to Holland. 

Eno-land desired that all the American colonies 
should trade with her, and passed several trade 
laws for the purpose of controlling all their im- 
ports and exports. The first one said no other 
country should trade with the colonies. This com- 
pelled the colonies to send all their products to 
the mother country, or use them at home. Un- 
der the second law other countries were permitted 
to trade with the colonies under certain conditions. 
The officers of the ships w^ere required to take an 
oath that they would obey all the trade laws. If 
they failed to keep their oath, both their ships and 
goods were taken from them. Under this oath all 
vessels carrying products either to or from the 
American colonies were compelled to register at 
some port of England. Here their cargoes were 
taxed, then they were permitted to complete their 
voyages. If the cargo were made up of manufac- 
tured goods for the colonies, a tax was levied 
upon it, then it was carried to America. As the 
vessels returned with cargoes of wheat, corn, and 
tobacco, they again put into port, and again were 
taxed. Thus the colonists were compelled to pay 



OUR UXKIXD MOTHER. g5 

a tax to tlie mother country upon all they bought 
and upon all they sold. 

Nothing was manufactured in America. If an 
American wanted a coat or a hat, he must buy it 
from the Old AVorld. If a blanket or a pair of 
shoes were needed, it must be brought across the 
ocean. The colonists had no money with Avhich 
to buy these goods. For them they must exchange 
their corn, wheat, and t<)l)acco. As these were 
taxed so heavily by the mother country, the 
Americans decided that they would raise less 
grain and tobacco, and make their own clothing. 
As soon as a few rude sliops and mills were 
erected in America, and tlie colonies began to 
manufacture for tliemselves, the British Parlia- 
ment declared that no more goods should be 
manufactured in this country. Tlie colonists 
might dig the ore from the mountains, and raise 
the wool and the cotton, but were not allowed to 
make a nail or weave a yard of cloth. The mate- 
rial must be sent to the mother country, made 
into articles for tlie colonies, then returned to them 
in English ships. These were severe laws, and 
would have brought much suffering to the colo- 
nists if they had been at all times obeyed. 

The French had settled in Canada and in the 
Mississippi Valley, and the Spaniards had founded 
colonies in Florida. Neither one of these nations 



gg STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

liked England, and both were often at war with 
her. So long as they w^ere neighbors to the 
American colonies, England feared they might 
persuade the colonists to Join with them in a war 
against her. This fear caused her to allow the 
colonies and the countries trading with them to 
carry on an illegal trade. A great many people 
were engaged in smuggling. They would bring 
goods to America and sell them without paying 
the taxes assessed against them by the British 
Parliament. This was done secretly at first, but 
afterward was carried on openly. The officers 
who were appointed to collect the taxes were in- 
structed to pay no attention to smuggling. Thus 
it was permitted to be carried on for almost a 
hundred years. So long as the colonists were 
allowed to get their goods in this manner, they 
offered but little objection to the trade laws. 

After a while En2:land and France had a 
quarrel and engaged in a war in the Old World. 
Their colonies took up the quarrel in America, 
and ^vere soon engaged in a struggle which lasted 
eight years. The Indians joined with the French, 
and with them suffered defeat at the hands of 
the Eno;lish. At the close of the war the French 
w^ere compelled to give up all their territory in 
America, and the Spaniards, wdio had also joined 
in the war, granted Florida to England. In con- 



OUR UXKIXB MOTHER. 87 

quering tlie Indians and driving the French fi-om 
America, England unconscionsly did that which 
hastened the independence of lier colonies. When 
the treaty of peace was signed, a Frenchman re- 
marked : " So we are gone ; it will be England's 
turn next." T\venty years afterward Enirland 
signed a treaty by ^\•hich she gave up all her pos- 
sessions in what is now the United States. 

The surrender of Canada and the Mississippi 
Valley by the French and the cession of Florida 
by the Spaniards greatly relieved the mother 
country. She now no longer feared the power 
of France and S])ain in America, so she deter- 
mined to treat her children just as she liked. The 
trade laws whicli had been so long disobeyed 
were now strictly enforced. Smuo-o'lino- was or- 
dered to be broken up. The colonies were again 
compelled to pay the taxes as required by the 
trade laws. This caused great complaint among 
the ]^eople. 

The colonists were accused of concealino^ 
smuggled goods in their liomes. An order was 
issued that all houses where the officers thoui^ht 
smugo^led goods were concealed should be 
searched. AVi'its of assistance were issued to the 
king's officers, and they were thus empowered to 
enter the home of any man in search of smuggled 
goods. The colonists loved their rude homes, and 



88 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

considered as enemies all men wlio should thus 
enter tliem unbidden. The first writ was issued 
in Boston. When the writ was applied for, the 
people became aroused and asked the court 
not to issue it. James Otis was then holding a 
hio-h office under the kins:. The merchants of 
Boston appealed to him for assistance. He re- 
signed his position under the king, and led the 
opposition to the writs of assistance. He was 
eloquent, fearless, and patriotic. He did not hesi- 
tate to do what he believed to be right. In a 
speech lasting fiv^e hours he earnestly and elo- 
quently defended the homes and liberties of the 
colonists. When the merchants offered him a 
large fee for his services, he refused it, declaring, 
" In such a cause I despise all fees." John 
Adams heard the speech, and was so impressed 
with it that he afterward said, '^ The child of in- 
dependence was born that day." 

The first charters granted to the colonies were 
usually very liberal and gave the colonists many 
privileges. The king became jealous of the 
growth of independence under these charters and 
revoked many of them. They then became royal 
provinces and were governed by men sent out 
from England, or by men chosen by the king 
from among the colonists for that purpose. It 
made but little difference whether they were sent 



OUR UNKIXD MOTHER. gg 

from England or selected from the colonists, they 
always so conducted themselves as to become 
very unpopular. They oppressed the peo]^)le, 
kept many servants, wore long robes of state, and 
in many ways imitated the king in their manner 
of living. These independent, common people 
did not like royalt}' in any form. 

Edmund Andros was one of the royal gov- 
ernors chosen by the king. lie ^vas cold, cruel, 
and severe. He had no kindness for the com- 
mon people, and they had none for him. He 
served man}' years as Governor of New York. In 
1686 he was appointed Governor of all tlie New 
England colonies; but the little colony of Con- 
necticut refused 1o recognize and ol)ey him. They 
had a charter of their o\vn, and decided not to sur- 
render it to him. 

One l)right day in October, Andros marched 
into Haiiford at the head of a body of soldiers. 
He had come to take from Connecticut her char- 
ter. He came into the hall where the Legisla- 
ture was sitting and demanded that it should 
be immediately surrendered. A long discussion 
followed. The sun went down and the candles 
were lighted. The charter which they loved 
so much and under which they had enjoyed so 
many liberties was brought forth. Suddenly all 
the lights were put out, and when they were 
7 



90 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

again lighted the charter could not be found. 
John Wadsworth had seized it and in the dark- 
ness had hurried away to the forest, where he 
hid it in a large oak tree which was ever after- 
ward called the Charter Oak. Here it lay safely 
concealed until the people grew tired of Andros, 
put him in prison, and afterward sent him to Eng- 
land. After he had sailed from America the 
colonists brought out their charter, elected their 
officers, and were governed as before. 

The Charter Oak was afterward carefully 
watched and tended so long as it stood. It was 
blown down by a severe wind storm Augast 21, 
1854. The watchman of the town heard it fall 
at one o'clock in the morning. As soon as the 
storm had passed he hastened to tell the people 
that the Charter Oak had fallen. Many thou- 
sands of people came to look at it. The band 
played a funeral dirge, and at nightfall the bells 
were tolled in memory of the fallen monarch of 
the forest. 

The duties or taxes on American imports were 
so unpopular and caused so much disturbance in 
the colonies that they were taken off of all goods 
except tea. Immediately all the colonists resolved 
that they would drink no more tea. When car- 
goes of this article were brought to America they 
were either stored in damp cellars to spoil or were 



OUR UXKIXD MOTHER. 91 

returned ou the sliips that brought them. At 
Boston a ship anchored with a load of tea, and the 
captain of the vessel refused to return with it. At 
nio'ht a meetino^ was held at Faneuil Hall. The 
whole town was aroused and attended the meet- 
ing. After its close a company of men, disguised 
as Indians, hurried to the ship and threw the tea 
into the bay. This was called the Boston tea 
party. 

The mother country became very angry with 
her children at Boston on account of their ^'tea 
party," and resolved to punish them. She oixlered 
her officers in America to close the port of Boston 
and remove the seat of o^overnment to Salem. 
When this was done no more ^oods could be sent 
to Boston. In this way she hoped to humiliate 
and subdue the rebellious Bostonians, but she was 
mistaken in her judgment. She did not know the 
spirit of the American colonists. Goods were 
shipped to other towns and liauled in carts 
through the wilderness to Boston. The people of 
Massachusetts declared they would buy nothing 
more of Eno-land until she took the tax from tea. 
The Avomen pledged themselves to drink no more 
tea and to wear nothing made in the mother coun- 
try. The farmers raised sheep, that they might 
grow wool from which to make their clothing. 
Both the rich and the poor wore clothing made 



92 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

from the coarse cloth woven in the colonies. 
Preparations were made for the manufacture of 
goods in America. England so keenly felt the 
action of the colonists that she repealed, the Bos- 
ton Port Bill and restored to Boston her rights. 

The colonies were by the mother country con- 
sidered as so many farms that were to be tilled 
and taxed for her benefit. In this the colonists 
did not agree with her. They were anxious to 
enjoy the blessings they had struggled so long to 
obtain. Persecutions at home had driven many 
of them to America. They had conquered the 
wilderness and built their homes in the New 
World. They had suffered and toiled ; they had 
fought and conquered. During all this time 
their cry of hunger and suffering was not heard 
by their unkind mother. She had never reached 
out her strong arm to help them in their unequal 
fight. Her only offer of assistance was the prom- 
ise to let them alone in America so long as they 
were well behaved. 

At the close of the French and Indian AVar 
England was very much in debt. This war had 
greatly increased her expenses, and so added to 
her debt. Mr. Grenville was the prime minister 
of the mother country at this time, and it was his 
duty to protect all her interests. He announced 
in Parliament that the next year he would intro- 



OUR UXKIND MOTHER. 93 

duce a Stamp Act for the j^urpose of raising 
money in America. By this means he ho23ed to 
have the colonies assist in paying the expenses of 
the war. Members of Parliament said that in 
this war the colonies had Ijeen defended asrainst 
the attacks of the French and the Indians, and so 
should j)ay a part of the debt. Tliey ^vere for- 
getful of the fact that eacli colony had spent 
much money in the war, and had lost many of her 
bravest men. They did not consider that all the 
American homes had been exposed to the attacks 
of the savage Indians and the fearless French. 
They did not reckon that more had been gained 
for Eno-land than had been won for America. 

Next year Grenville ])rought in the Stamp Act 
as he had promised. Under it all deeds, mort- 
gages, marriage licenses, and newspapers should 
be stamped. The stam2)s were to l)e made in 
England, and no paper would be legal unless it 
bore a stamp. Each colony had sent an agent to 
England to plead for the liberties of her people. 
Franklin was there, and with all the power of his 
eloquence urged Parliament not to pass the bill. 
The bill passed with but little opposition. The 
only voice raised in Parliament in behalf of the 
colonies was that of Mr. Beckford. He said, "As 
we are stout, I hope we shall be merciful." When 
Franklin had failed and the bill had passed, he 



94 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

wrote home, "The sun of American liberty has 
now set." 

The colonists had hoped and believed that 
Parliament would not pass the bill. They had 
great faith in the king, and believed he would not 
permit his colonies to be thus taxed without their 
consent. He might have raised his voice in be- 
half of his people in the New World, but he was 
not able. He had been attacked by one of his 
fits of insanity, and could not even control him- 
self. He knew nothing of what Parliament was 
doing. After the Stamp Act had been passed, it 
was signed by men appointed to sign it for the 
poor, unfortunate king. 

The news sent home by Franklin carried sor- 
row to the hearts and homes of the colonists. 
The day on which the act was to go into effect 
was set apart as a day of fasting and of prayer. 
Bells were tolled, the stamps were collected and 
burned, and those who were appointed to dis- 
tribute the stamps were compelled to resign. 
Soon mourning gave place to action. The Legis- 
lature of Massachusetts met and issued a call to 
all the colonies, asking them to send delegates to 
a g:eneral confess to be held in New York. Nine 
colonies sent delegates to the meeting. They 
drew up a petition in which they declared their 
allegiance to the king, set forth their rights as citi- 



OUR UXKIXD MOTHER. 95 

zens, and prayed for the repeal of the Stamp Act. 
One copy of the petition tliey sent to the king 
and another to Parliament. 

The Viimnia Lescislature was in session when 
the news was received tliat the Stamp Act had 
passed. George Washington and Thomas Jeffer- 
son were there. There was also present a young 
man named Patrick Henry. He had spent most 
of his life in the country, where lie wandered 
through the woods, hunted the wild deer, and 
dreamed beneath the branches of the trees. He 
had experienced liberty, had enjoyed it, and was 
ready to defend it. He snatched a bhank leaf 
from an old law book and wrote a series of reso- 
lutions. Tliese he defended with such eloquence 
and earnestness as to call forth the cry of " Treason ! " 
In closino; he said : " I know not what course 
others may take ; but as for me, give me liberty 
or give me death ! " Thus '^ Virginia gave the sig- 
nal to the continent," and there was opposition to 
the Stamp Act in every colony. 

The Rev. George AVhitetield, of Georgia, feel- 
ingly exclaimed, " My heart bleeds for America." 
The Church said, " Our mother shoidd remember 
that we are children, not slaves." Samuel Adams 
declared that if England did not repeal the Stamp 
Act, America would. He also wrote a pamphlet 
called The Rights of the Colonies. It was copied 



96 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

in England and created great excitement. The 
colonies were loyal to the king, but thought Parlia- 
ment had no right to tax them. They considered 
their colonial assemblies to be their parliaments, 
and, if they were to be taxed at all, their assem- 
blies should levy the tax. They had long be- 
lieved that the mother country had no right to 
tax them without their consent. They also be- 
lieved that "taxation without representation is 
tyranny," but Samuel Adams was the first Ameri- 
can bold enough to openly declare what he be- 
lieved. This he did in The Eights of the Colo- 
nies, and was ever afterward called the Father of 
the Revolution. 

While the colonies were uniting in America 
their cause was gaining strength in England. 
Grenville had become so unpopular with his peo- 
ple that he was forced to give up his position as 
prime minister. Those who were more friendly 
to America were coming into power. William 
Pitt became prime minister. He was then an old 
man and in failing health, yet '^ he called back all 
the power of his former eloquence " and pleaded 
the cause of the colonies. He demanded the re- 
peal of the Stamp Act, and declared, " I rejoice 
that the colonies have resisted." In his defense 
of the colonies he said : " America is the fountain 
of our wealth, the nerve of our strength, the basis 



OUR UNKIXD MOTHER. 97 

of our power." Pitt was assisted by tlie eloquent 
Edmund Burke. While speaking against the 
Stamp Act and in behalf of the colonies he said : 
^' Our times of scarcity would have been times of 
famine had it not l)een for the colonies." Throu^rh 
the efforts of such friends of America the Stamp 
Act was repealed, and there was great rejoicing 
both in England and America. 

Before three full years had passed the colonies 
were again aroused by the conduct of the mother 
country. Parliament passed a law providing for a 
standing army in America. By the law the colo- 
nists w^ere compelled to furnish food and shelter for 
the soldiers. The mother country claimed that it 
was necessary to send over an army to protect her 
children against the attacks of the Indians. For 
more than a luuidred years they had i:)rotected 
themselves, and they knew full well that this was 
not the. cause of the mother's seemins: kindness. 
They knew that the ]nn*pose of the army was to 
subdue the spirit of liljerty that had grown so 
strong and bold in the wilderaess of the New 
World. 

As Massachusetts had been the boldest in her 
rebellion against the acts of Parliament, the first 
soldiers were sent to Boston. Two thousand came 
ashore and demanded food and shelter. The sight 
of the British red-coats parading the quiet streets 



9S * STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

of their town aroused within the people a spirit of 
hatred and indignation. They knew the evil in- 
fluence of such men upon the character of their 
young people. They knew, too, that while a stand- 
ing army was in their midst their liberty was in 
danger. They objected, yet obeyed the law. The 
Pilo-rims were a strict, religious people and could 
not become used to the loose habits of the soldiers, 
w^ho spent the nights in drinking and the days in 
quarreling. On the Sabbath day the roll of the 
drum and the shouts of the drunken men mingled 
with the sound of the church bells. Kesj^ectable 
people were insulted on the streets by the British 
soldiers. Frequent quarrels took place between 
the soldiers and the young men of the town. 

On the 5th of March, 1770, a crowd of men 
and boys attacked a company of soldiers with 
stones and blocks of ice. The soldiers fired into 
the crowd, killing three and wounding ^\e. The 
church bells immediately rang the alarm and soon 
the streets were filled with angry people. They 
demanded the removal of the troops from the town. 
Samuel Adams was sent to Governor Hutchinson 
to make known the demands of the people. He 
argued with the Governor that for the love of life 
and the peace of Boston he should remove the 
troops. The Governor replied that he had no au- 
thority to remove the soldiers. Adams renewed 




'''Both regiments or none." 



OUR UNKIXD MOTHER. 99 

his demand, and the Governor consented to remove 
one regiment. Adams indignantly responded that 
if he had the authority to remove one he coukl re- 
move both regiments. He further demanded that 
he should remove both regiments or none. " Both 
regiments or none," became the cry of the people, 
and both regiments were removed. 

The love of the colonists for the mother coun- 
try was never stronger than it was at the close of 
the French and Indian War. They had fought 
side by side with the British soldiers and their 
blood had moistened the same plains. They had 
marched, fought, and suffered for one common 
cause. Enoland had assisted them in subduinc: 
the Indians and in driving out the French. Thus 
far there had been no thought of a separation from 
England. Eveiy one feelingly spoke of that coun- 
try as his home. A distinguished Englishman, 
named Pownall, had spent many years in America 
and was well acquainted with the sj:)irit of her jieo- 
ple. He said of them : '' They would sacrifice their 
dearest interests for the honor and prosperity of 
the mother country." 

Persecutions at home had driven many of the 
colonists to the New World. Into the wilderness 
they had brought the bold spirit of liberty. The 
forests they had changed to fields and meadows. 
The Indians had ceased prowling around their 



100 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

homes and the howl of the wolf was no longer 
heard. The first log cabins had given way to 
more comfortable homes. The hamlets of a few 
rude cabins had grown to villages and the villages 
had become towns. This wonderful change had 
been wrought by their own hands. Seeing their 
prosperity, the mother hoped to profit by it. She 
began by placing upon them burdens, small at first, 
but which she increased as the colonists became 
more prosperous. 

These burdens they bore for more than a hun- 
dred years and affectionately clung to the mother 
country through all her unkindness to them. At 
length their spirit rebelled. Hardships and dan- 
gers had made them strong and brave. They had 
fought by the British soldiers in the ranks of war 
and had shown themselves their equals. Ameri- 
can officers had been trained on the field of battle. 
The French had been driven from Canada, and 
Spain had given up Florida. They no longer 
feared these nations. They were now ready for 
the struggle which was to separate them from the 
mother country and lay in America the founda- 
tion of a great republic. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE FATHER OF A^IEKICAN LIBERTY. 

Great in his soul's undaunted will. 

Not conquering Rome nor warlike Greece 
Eclipse his fame ; but greater still 

In all the gentler arts of peace, 
We marvel that such warrior might 

Should nerve the hand of patient love, 
And half forget the eagle's flight, 

To bless the olive-bearing dove. 

Near the mouth of a small stream that flows 
into the Potomac River stands a stone slab. It 
bears the date Februaiy 22, 1732. This stone 
marks the bii-thpLace of George Washington, who 
was '' first in war, flrst in peace, and first in the 
hearts of his countrymen." The house in which 
he spent the first years of his childhood has long 
since disappeared, and only a few wild flowers and 
trailing vines remain to show ^sdiere once ^vere the 
yard and garden. 

While Washington was quite young his father 
moved to his plantation on the Rappahannock 
River near Fredericksburg. The house was old- 

101 



102 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

fashioned and stood on a beautiful knoll from 
whicli one could see the river silently winding 
through the woods, and through the leaves and 
branches could catch a glimpse of the gleam of 
silver as the sunlight fell upon the surface of the 
water. Here quickly and happily passed his early 
boyhood. He roamed the hills, fished in the river, 
and hunted in the forest. His playmates he con- 
sidered his soldiers, which he armed, drilled, and 
led into many a harmless battle. 

It was the custom among the wealthy colonists 
to send their boys to the mother country to re- 
ceive their education. In keeping with this cus- 
tom, the brothers of AVashington were sent to 
England, but he remained at home and from 
America received an education which was to lead 
him to greatness and her to independence. His 
schoolboy days were spent in the "Old Field 
Schoolhouse," where the old sexton taught him 
reading, writing, and ciphering. The instruction 
at school was of the simplest kind, but from his 
father he received daily lessons in industry, hon- 
esty, and truthfulness. 

When Washington was eleven years old his 
father died, leaving^ him and his brothers to the 
care of his mother, who proved worthy of her 
important trust. From her he inherited a high 
temper and a commanding spirit, and from her he 



THE FATHER OF AMEBIC AX LIBERTY. 103 

learned the lessons of self-control. Soon after the 
death of his father he completed his studies under 
tlie old sexton, and went to live with his brother 
Lawi'ence at Mount Vernon. Here he attended a 
higher school, and soon became known for his 
backwardness, neatness, and truthfulness. An old 
lady said : " He was a very bashful young man. I 
used often to \visli he \vould talk more.'' He gave 
most of his time to the study of higher mathemat- 
ics and practical surveying. When out of school 
he surveyed the fields of the neighboring farms, 
and kept a neat record of all his work. 

The soldier friends of liis l)rothcr made fre- 
quent visits to Mount Vernon, and their conversa- 
tion often turned to tlie sul)ject of war. They re- 
peated the stories of their experience and described 
the l3attles in w^hich they had been engaged on 
tlie ocean. Washington was always an attentive 
listener, and doul)tless these stories aroused within 
him the military spirit which had shown itself in 
his earlier boyhood. He was now only fourteen 
years of age, l)ut he was anxious to become a 
sailor. His mother gave her consent, and he pre- 
pared to go to sea. His trunks were on the ship 
and he was ready to sail. His mother thought of 
the great wide ocean and all the dangers of the 
deep, and persuaded him to remain at home. He 
gave up his sailor life and returned to his studies. 



104 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

Lawrence Washington liad manied the daugh- 
ter of a wealthy Englishman named Fairfax. The 
two families were often together, and in this way 
young Washington became acquainted with Lord 
Fairfax. One was a man past middle life, the other 
was a boy not yet sixteen, but they became warmly 
attached to each other. Lord Fairfax was fond of 
the chase and always kept his kennels filled with a 
choice pack of hounds. Learning that Washington 
was a daring horseman and fond of sport, Fairfax 
often invited him to join him in the chase. Before 
sunrise they would mount their horses and all 
day long would gallop heedlessly over the hills 
and through the woods, guided only by the bay- 
ing of the hounds. 

Beyond the mountains Fairfax owned a large 
tract of land which he desired to have surveyed 
and laid out in farms. The neatness and accuracy 
of Washington's work so pleased Lord Fairfax 
that he employed him to survey this tract of land, 
though he was but sixteen years of age. In 
March, wdth tent and compass, Washington and 
Lord Fairfax crossed the mountains, whose tops 
were still covered with snow, and came into the 
beautiful valley of the Shenandoah. Winter still 
lingered on the mountain tops, yet spring had 
already come to the valley. Washington was 
pleased but not delighted with the beauty of his 



THE FATHER OF AMEPdCAX LIBERTY. 105 

surroundings. He ^vrote a description of the 
scenery, but his imagination painted no beautiful 
pictures. He appreciated what he saw more for 
its usefulness than for its beauty. 

While engaged in this work a company of In- 
dians camped near their tent. These were the first 
Indians Washington had ever seen. They were 
fresh from the war[)ath, and proudly disi)layed 
the scalps they had taken. Their war dance and 
war whoop at night greatly alarmed Washington 
and his few comrades, but with the approach of 
day they stealthily vanished into the forest and 
left Washinofton to continue his work. So well 
did he perform his duty that lie was appointed 
public surveyor. He held this position three 
years, when he was appointed adjutant general of 
one of the military districts of Virginia. 

He immediately began preparing himself for 
the duties of his new position. His brother's 
home at Mount Vernon was converted into a mili- 
tary school. Here Washington studied the man- 
ual of arms and was trained in the arts of war by 
the soldier friends of his brother Lawrence. 

Washington and his brother were strongly 
attached to each other. Lawrence looked with 
pride upon his truthful }'oung brother, while 
Washington reverenced Lawrence for his hones- 
ty, scholarship, and soldierly bearing. When on 

8 



l(j(] STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

account of failing health Lawrence decided to 
visit the . Barbadoes, Washington went wdth him. 
Two weeks after their arrival Washington took 
ill with the smallpox, the marks of which re- 
mained with him during his life. The change of 
climate broui^ht but little relief to Lawrence, and 
he returned to Mount Vernon to die. In his will 
he made provisions whereby the old homestead 
at Mount Vernon afterward became the property 
of Washington. 

Both the French and the English claimed the 
land lying in the Ohio Valley. The French built 
forts along the rivers and urged the Indians to 
break their friendship with the English and attack 
their settlements. The Governor of Virginia de- 
cided to send a commissioner to Fort Venano-o to 
strengthen the friendship of the Indians and to 
uro-e the commander of the fort to withdraw his 
soldiers from the valley. Between Fort Venango 
and Virginia lay an almost unbroken wilderness 
through which were roaming bands of unfriendly 
Indians. None but the bravest and most daring 
would undertake a journey so full of difficulties 
and dangers. Washington was not yet twenty- 
one years of age, yet the Governor chose him to 
carry his message to the French commander. 

He did not hesitate, but immediately set out 
upon his perilous journey. On his way he visited 



THE FATHER OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. 107 

tlie principal Indian village and invited the chiefs 
to meet him in a council. He persuaded them to 
rene^v their pledges of friendship for the English, 
and from them learned many important things 
about the French in the valleys of the Mississippi 
and the Ohio. He arrived at the fort and deliv- 
ered the messacre to the commander. After a 
delay of several days he set out upon his return. 
It was now midwinter and the snow lay deep on 
the ground. The streams were swollen and full 
of floating ice. Before he had o'one far on his re- 
turn Journey the horses gave out, and with a single 
companion Waslii no-ton proceeded on foot. On 
the way they fell in with a loand of Indians and 
secured one of their number as a guide, but he 
proved unfaitliful and tried t(^ kill Washington. 
In crossino^ the Monono'ahela liiver their little 
raft was crushed to pieces by the floating fields of 
ice, and they were compelled to spend the night 
on a small island in tlie river. Next morning 
they made the shore on the ice, and Washington 
returned safe to Virginia and presented the an- 
swer of the French commander to Governor Din- 
widdle. 

Soon after the return of Washington the great 
war which was to decide whether France or Eng- 
land was to orovern America was beoi-un. Wash- 
ington immediately enlisted and became a soldier 



lOS STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

in the king's army under the brave General Brad- 
dock. In the first battle with the Indians many 
English soldiers were killed, General Braddock 
was fatally wounded, and the remainder of the 
army was saved only by the bravery of Washing- 
ton. Wherever the bullets and arrows flew thick- 
est, there he was urging on the brave Virginians. 
Two horses were shot under him and four bullets 
pierced his clothing, but with his little band of 
Virginians he kept back the Indians until the 
remnant of the army retreated to a place of safety. 
Three days after the battle General Braddock 
died, and in the gloomy wilderness, ^vhile the 
nio-ht wind made mournf nl music amono; the trees, 

O CD ' 

Washino:ton read the funeral service over his dead 
general. His body was then silently laid to rest. 

In one of the campaigns Washington stopped 
at the home of a friend, w^here he met a young 
widow named Custis. A strong attachment 
sprang up between them, and when they separated 
she promised to become his wife as soon as he re- 
turned from the war. At the close of 1758 he 
resigned his commission in the army, and on the 
6th of January, 1759, they were married. They 
retired to the old homestead at Mount Vernon, 
where AVashington hoped to spend his life in the 
quiet enjoyment of his friends and home. 

As a boy Washington was ever fond of dogs 



THE FATHER OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. IQO 

and horses, and this fondness seemed to increase 
with Lis age. In his kennels were the finest 
hounds to be found in America, and his stables 
were filled with the best horses to be purchased 
in the country. He seemed as fond of them as a 
parent is of his children. Neatly written with his 
own hand was kept a record of the name, age, and 
description of each one. AVhen he returned to 
Mount Vernon he gave himself up to the enjoy- 
ment of his home and its surroundings. A part 
of his time he spent in riding over his large estate 
and in giving directions for its management. Two 
or three days of each week he spent in hunting 
and fishinii^. Sometimes he could be seen dashinir 
heedlessly over the hills and through the woods 
in pursuit of his hounds, and again quietly pad- 
dling his canoe along the shores of the Potomac 
in search of wild ducks. 

His happy, (juiet home life was soon to give 
place to the stormy life of a soldier. The oppres- 
sion of England had become so severe that there 
were threats of resistance and signs of war. The 
great Revolution which brought independence to 
the colonies of America was approaching. Officers 
who had fought with Washington in the French 
and Indian War visited him and there were lone: 
secret councils. Companies of soldiers were 
formed and AYashington Avas called upon to re- 



110 



STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 



view them. Mount Vernon took upon itself the 
appearance of war. 

Tliroiigh all the exciting scenes which pre- 
ceded the Revolution, Washington calmly awaited 
the result. He did but little to increase the ex- 
citement of the people, yet he often wrote to his 
friends, lamenting that the mother country was 
so blind to her own interest as by her oppression 
to drive her children to rebellion. When the 
crisis came he was chosen commander of the colo- 
nial army. He declared he would devote his life 
and his fortune, if needful, to the cause of the 
people, and would accept no pay for his services. 
He said he would keep an accurate account of all 
his expenses and ask that these be paid. More 
than that he would not accept. 

He left his home, and in company with Lee 
and Schuyler hastened to Cambridge to take com- 
mand of the army. It was a strange army with 
which to oppose the disciplined troops of Eng- 
land. Men were there who had left their plow^s 
standing in the field and hastened to the defense 
of their liberties ; and boys whose mothers had 
given them tearful farewells and urged them to 
prove worthy of the cause for which they were 
about to fight. Some had guns, some were armed 
with swords, some had scythes for weapons, while 
others had no arms at all. Each soldier wore a 



THE FATHER OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. \\\ 

suit made from cloth woven iu his own neighbor- 
hood. They were without uniform, without dis- 
cipline, and without arms, but they were terribly 
in earnest. On the 3d of July the troops were 
marshaled on the commons, and with drawn 
sword Washinoi:on took command of the little 
army he ^vas to lead to glory and to victory. 

We can not follow our hero throu!2^h his lonor 
struggle for American independence. We can 
not go wdth his little band of patriots as barefoot 
they fly before the British army across the frozen 
plains of New Jersey. We can not stop to Avit- 
ness their strus^o-le ac^ainst the fields of ice in the 
Delaware, and cold and himger at Valley Forge. 
We must be content to say that in America there 
was a patriot so brave and so true to his native 
country as to successfully lead his little band to 
victory against the ti'ained armies of England, 
and to break the bands of oppression, thus bring- 
ing the blessings of libeiiy to the colonies of the 
New World. 

When the war was ended Washington assem- 
bled his soldiers and bade them an affectionate 
farewell. In speaking to them, he referred to 
their suffering and sacrifices, praised their bravery 
and heroism, spoke of their hopes for the future, 
and urged them to Ije as patriotic in peace as they 
had been brave in war. As the officers came for- 



][12 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

ward and took the hand of their commander in 
chief there was a solemn silence broken only by 
the sobs of the men. Having taken leave of his 
men, he hastened to Annapolis, where Congress 
was in session, resigned his commission, and re- 
turned to Mount Vernon on Christmas eve, 1783. 
Surely a merry Christmas followed his arrival at 
the old homestead. 

After his return to Mount Vernon most of his 
time was occupied in looking after his business at 
home. Eight years had wrought many changes 
in the affairs of his estate, and the war had 
brought to him great financial loss. His few lei- 
sure hours he spent in the chase, but his dogs were 
less faithful than those with which he used to 
chase the foxes throug-h the forests around Mount 
Vernon. General Lafayette sent him choice 
hounds from France, but they were not fond of 
chasing American foxes. His evenings were spent 
in social amusements with his friends. In this 
manner he hoped to spend the remainder of his 
life, but his people had still other work for him 
to do. 

A Constitution for the thirteen colonies had 
been adopted, and under it some one was to be 
chosen President. Washington v;as in every mind 
and his name was upon every tongue. He was 
unanimously elected to rule the country for which 



THE FATHER OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. 113 

his bravery had \v()ii iudepenclence. As soon as 
he learned of his election he set out in his carriage 
for the seat of government. All along his jour- 
ney the people hastened to see him and do him 
honor. At Trenton bells were tolled, cannon 
were fired, and the children of the town came out 
to meet him and scatter flowers in his way. At 
New York the display Avas even greater than at 
Trenton. The city fi'om which he had fled with 
his little band of ragged patriots ten years befoi'e, 
he now entered amid the strains of music, the 
tolling of bells, the booming of cannon, and the 
shouts of a happy people. 

As President he served his country eight 
years. At the close of his second term he refused 
a re-election, issued his Farewell Address, and 
sought rest in the quiet of his home. 

Soon there were rumblings of war between 
France and the United States, and Washington 
was again called to the command of the army. 
The war cloud passed away, and peace again set- 
tled upon our country. Washington then re- 
turned to Mount Vernon, where he passed away, 
December 14, 1799, and was quietly laid to rest 
amid the scenes he had loved so well. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE FEIEND OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. 

The friend of struggling Liberty, 
He heard her call across the sea, 

Nor let her call in vain. 
Now where his hero blood was shed 
Let freemen come with silent tread 

And stoop to kiss the stain. 

The American colonies were not left to battle 
alone in their great struggle against the mother 
countiy. All civilized people were anxiously 
watching the progress of freedom in the New 
World. The boldness of the colonists in adopt- 
ing the Declaration of Independence was applaud- 
ed by the liberty-loving people of every nation. 
The spirit of liberty was abroad in the land. It 
was only waiting an opportunity to express itself. 
In America it found expression in our great Revo- 
lution, and continued to speak until it changed the 
government of many nations. Monarchs could not 
subdue it, nor was the ocean a barrier to its prog- 
ress. In almost every country of Europe there 
were those who rejoiced at our success and sor- 

114 



THE FRIEXD OF AMERICaX LIBERTY. 115 

rowed over our defeats. They were inspired by 
the cause for which we fought and hoped that vic- 
toiy might be ours. 

From Ireland, Kussia, Germany, and France 
came brave and chivalrous men to offer their serv- 
ice and their lives to the cause of the colonies. 
Kosciusko came from his far-away home in Po- 
land and gallantly served in the American army 
throughout the war. Wlien freedom's cause had 
trium2:)hed in the New World, he returned to his 
native land and defended it against the tyranny of 
the Old World. Count Pulaski was exiled from 
Poland because he dared to make known his love 
of liberty. In France he heard from the elocpient 
Franklin the story of our wrongs and immediately 
sailed for America. He joined our patriot army 
and was killed in the siege of Savannah. The 
brave De Kalb was a German soldier serving in the 
French army. lie learned of our struggle and was 
inspired with tlie justness of our cause, so he 
crossed the Atlantic, joined the American army, 
and fell on the field of Camden. Baron Steuben 
left fame, friends, and fortune in Germany that he 
might share the trials and defeats of the colonists 
and tlie final trium})h of their cause. He had 
served on the staff of Frederick the Great, and 
knew much of the military tactics of that famous 
statesman and warrior. This kno^vledge was after- 



115 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

ward of great value to the American army. Con- 
gress appointed Steuben inspector general of the 
army. He found tlie soldiers brave, patriotic, and 
earnest, but without the discipline and skill neces- 
sary to contend with the trained forces of Great 
Britain. By his superior knowledge and experi- 
ence he was able to organize the undisciplined pa- 
triots into an army such as put to flight the regu- 
lars of Eno^land. After the close of the war he re- 
tired to a farm which Congress had granted him 
in New York. There he quietly spent the remain- 
der of his life, proud of the countiy whose free- 
dom he had fought to secure. 

The greatest and most loved of all those who 
came from foreign countries and gave their service 
to the cause of the colonists was General Lafay- 
ette, of France. He eagerly cauo^ht the story of 
our struggle as it fell from the lips of the great 
Dr. Franklin. He espoused our cause with all the 
strength and earnestness of his noble, generous na- 
ture. His youthful spirit prompted him to hasten 
to America and join in the struggle. 

His ancestors were brave and chivalrous and 
strongly leaned toward the side of political free- 
dom. Young Lafayette was inspired by the same 
love, and while yet in his youth openly declared 
his allegiance to the principles of his ancestors. 
The oppressed of every land found in hini a gen- 



THE FRIEND OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. II7 

erous and sympathizing friend. lie watclied witli 
gravest interest tlie jn-ogress of the Revolution in 
America. He heard our petitions and prayers to 
our powerful mother country, and longed to inter- 
cede in our behalf. He heard our groans and cries 
under Britisli oppression, and was anxious to bring 
us relief. He knew we were longing for greater 
freedom, a higher form of government, and he 
wished to see us triumph. He knew and felt how 
great would be the blessing that our success would 
give to the world. He saw the star of liberty ris- 
ing in the New World, and longed to ^^'orship 
there. 

He was ])ut nineteen vears of ao;e and was rich 
and powei'ful among his people. His beautiful 
young wife pleaded with him to remain at home, 
and his native country offered him every comfort 
and every honor, yet he heeded them not. So 
long as France was at peace with other nations, 
and there was no strife among her people, she 
gave the young hero no oppoi-tunity to strike a 
blow for his cherished principles. America of- 
fered the opportunity, so he left home, wife, 
friends, and native land, and crossed the Atlantic. 

At no time in the history of our struggle 
did the colonists more greatly need assistance. 
Never did the immortal Washington stand in 
greater need of friends who would trust and aid 



IIQ STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

liim. Washington had been driven from Long 
Island and compelled to hurry fi^om place to place 
to save his half-clad army. Afterward he was 
driven in hurried flight across New Jersey by the 
British under Cornwallis. The story of Washing- 
ton's retreat is one of the saddest in all our his- 
tory. The soldiers were disheartened and half 
clad. Many were barefoot and left their blood- 
stained footprints on the frozen ground as they 
fled before the advancing British. These were 
the darkest hours of Washington's life. The colo- 
nies could not pay their soldiers, nor had they any 
credit abroad. Few believed the colonists could 
much longer continue the unequal contest. 

While gloom thus shrouded the American 
cause, Lafayette was crossing the Atlantic on his 
errand of patriotism. He arrived in South Caro- 
lina in April, 1777. Soon after landing he re- 
warded the bravery of General Moultrie by pre- 
sentino; him with arms and clothing; for one hun- 
dred men. His arrival brought joy and hope to 
the hearts of the people. He hastened to Phila- 
delphia and offered himself to Congress as a vol- 
unteer without pay. Congress accepted his serv- 
ices and appointed him major general in the 
United States army. He was taken into Wash- 
ington's family, where between them began a 
friendship true and lasting. 




Getitral Lajaydte, 



THE FRIEND OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. II9 

When Washington's patriot army met the 
British on the banks of the Brandywine in Au- 
gust, Lafayette was there. It was his first battle 
in America. His deep sympathy and generous 
conduct had drawn his men closely to him. When 
he commanded, there were no strairsrlers. Where 
he led, none hesitated to follow. His presence 
was an inspiration to the ^^•hole army. Where 
the Ijalls were flying thickest he hesitated n(^t to 
lead his brave command. Early in the battle he 
was wounded in the leg, but still pressed the 
fight. Not only did he continue to conunand his 
men, but he fought with them in the ranks. His 
courage prompted tliem to deeds of heroism. 

He remained in Amei'ica until the autumn of 
177(S. Wlierever his service was most needed, 
there he hastened to go. Eigliteen months he 
spent in fighting for tlie Cciuse he had so ear- 
nestly espoused. Then came rumors of war from 
across the waters. Tliey were the distant rum- 
blimrs of the French Revolution which followed 
so soon after England had acknowledged the inde- 
pendence of the American colonies. Lafayette 
felt that his highest duty was to serv^e his 
own country in her time of need. So he asked 
Congress for permission to return to his native 
land. 

His short stay in France bore rich fruit for the 



120 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

American cause. He visited other countries, and 
there spoke in highest praise of the spirit and 
courage of the American people. His youthful 
enthusiasm and simple eloquence greatly impressed 
those who heard him. He aroused his own people 
and persuaded the king to assist the colonies. As 
the w^ar cloud seemed to scatter and his country 
no longer needed his service, Lafayette prepared 
to return to his adopted country. In April, 
1780, he arrived in Boston, and "continued his 
career of glory." 

The day of his arrival was celebrated as a day 
of rejoicing. The business houses were closed and 
gayly decorated. The bells of the town rang out 
their welcome ; the cannons of the forts pealed 
forth their noisy greeting ; and the people came 
out to meet the gallant defender of American 
liberty. He hastened to meet his old friend 
AVashington and cheer him with the glad new^s 
that large re-enforcements w^ere on their way from 
France. His return brought new hope to the 
country and fresh courage to his soldiers. Con- 
gress had no money with wdiich to pay the soldiers 
for their service. The time of their enlistment 
had expired. They were disheartened, hungry, 
and poorly clad. Many of them laid down their 
arms and returned home. At this time the gen- 
erous Lafayette borrowed ten thousand dollars on 



THE FRIEND OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. 121 

his own credit and supplied those in greatest need 
with food and clothing. 

Arnold's treason brought to Lafayette the 
most unpleasant duty he w^as called u^^on to per- 
form in America. Major Andre was sent to treat 
with the traitor Arnold, and on his return was 
captured by three Americans and turned over to 
the military authorities for trial. The papers relat- 
ing to the treaty with Arnold were found upon him 
and he was condemned as a spy. Lafayette was 
one of the commissioners who were to determine 
Andre's guilt or innocence, and fix the penalty, if 
found guilty. He was found guilty, and under the 
rules of war was sentenced to die. Lafayette 
deeply regretted that one so brave and so gener- 
ous should thus be put to death. 

Lafayette bravely led his command in the 
battle of the Brandywine and A\as a prominent 
figure on the held of Monmouth. He was as- 
signed a special command and did valiant service 
for the Amei'ican cause in many minor engage- 
ments. He was with Washington at the siege of 
Yorktown and witnessed the surrender of the 
boasted British army to the combined forces of 
the French and Americans. With the surrender 
of Cornwallis at Yorktown came the close of the 
war. 

Lafayette came to assist the colonies in their 
9 



122 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

struggle to free themselves from tlie oppression of 
the mother country. When Cornwallis surren- 
dered, he felt that his task had been performed. 
He again asked for permission to return to France. 

In the spring of 1782 he once more arrived in 
his native land. Everywhere he was joyfully 
greeted by the people, and the king showed him 
greatest respect. All Europe hastened to honor 
the man who w^as so devoted to freedom's cause 
that he left his native land to assist a struggling 
people in a foreign country. In the midst of his 
triumphs he did not forget the anxious people 
whom he had left in the New World. He exerted 
all his influence to secure the recos^nition of their 
independence and the withdrawal of the British 
troops from America. When at length the treaty 
of peace was signed at Paris, Lafayette immedi- 
ately chartered a fast-sailing vessel, and sent it 
across the ocean with the good news to the wait- 
ing Americans. No influence was so powerful as 
his in giving the new republic a good name among 
the countries of Europe. In whatever country he 
visited he spoke in highest praise of the honesty, 
loyalty, and patriotism of the American people. 

Within the year following the treaty of peace 
he visited America the third time. He was anx- 
ious to visit the scenes where he had fought and 
suffered. His heart yearned to meet his old com- 



THE FRIEND OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. 123 

panions in arms. He longed to mingle witli the 
people for A\bom lie had fought. In August, 
1784, he aizain arrived in New York. His comino- 
was hailed with joy by a free and happy people. 
His visit at the beginning of our new life of in- 
dependence was a source of strength as well as 
pleasure. Through him the people of France and 
America were closer bound. To the local assem- 
blies and the Congress of the States he brought 
lessons of highest political wisdom. 

When he returned to his native country it was 
distracted with war. The great French Revolu- 
tion had beo'un. In the vears that followed, La- 
fayette was swallowed u}^ in the bloody whirlpool 
of the Revolution. He advised, suffered, and 
fought. He was thrown into prison and confined 
in a dungeon, but long afterward released. It is 
pleasant to know that during these dark days of 
his life he was not forgotten by his friends in 
America. His faitliful friend Washington wrote 
earnestly in his l)ehalf, and the Government made 
every possible effort to secure his release. After 
his imprisonment he was further remembered by 
our people to whom he had given so much and for 
whom he had made so great sacrifice. Congress 
voted him two hundred thousand dollars and two 
large tracts of land as a partial reward for his 
great service. In 1824 it became known in Amer- 



124: STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

ica that tlie gallant hero desired once more to visit 
the people and scenes lie loved so well. Congress 
immediately requested the President to invite him 
as the nation's guest. Forty years had passed 
since his last visit to our country. Then he was 
in the vigor of young manhood. Now he was an 
old man. The generation that first welcomed him 
to our land had passed away and a new one had 
come forward to cherish and defend the liberty so 
dearly bought by the colonists. Generals Grates, 
Greene, and Schuyler had long been in their 
graves. The great Washington had been sleep- 
ing a quarter of a century in his tomb at Mount 
Vernon. 

Many changes had also come to our country. 
The villages had gro^^ n to towns and the towns 
had become cities. The colonies had become 
States and the number had been increased to 
twenty-four. By the Treaty of Paris the limit of 
the United States was set at the lakes on the 
north, the Mississippi on the west, and the Span- 
ish possessions on the south. By the purchase of 
Louisiana we had since leaped across the Missis- 
sippi and swept away over plains and mountains 
to the Pacific Ocean. Florida had also been pur- 
chased and our southern boundary extended to 
the Gulf of Mexico. The sjmit of freedom which 
had so long struggled against the tyranny of the 



THE FRIES' D OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. 125 

Old World was now fii-mly established in the 
New. 

When Lafayette reached America he found a 
free, prosperous, and happy people, who had not 
forgotten liis great services to them. A national 
salute from the guns of one of the forts announced 
his arrival in New York Harbor. On the day fol- 
lowius: he was taken on board a steamer and car- 
ried to the city. Following in the wake of the 
steamer were the vessels of all nations with their 
colors gayly flying. The city was given over to 
rejoicing. Business was suspended, and the peo- 
ple crowded to the place where the hero was 
expected to land. In the midst of roaring cannon, 
ringing bells, flying banners, and the shouts of 
the people Lafayette landed. He visited the capi- 
tals of the twenty-four States, and all along his 
journey was honored and feasted by the citizens. 
As he looked upon the cultivated farms and the 
beautiful cities of the West he was surprised to 
see such wonderful progi^ess. 

When he had completed his tour of the States, 
he visited the tomb of Washington at Mount Ver- 
non. As he stood with bowed head before the 
tomb he thoudit of Washini^ton's kindness to him, 
and of the many hardships they had experienced 
together. He recalled the scenes at Valley Forge 
and the struggle at the Brandywine and at Mon- 



126 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

mouth. He remembered also the siege of York- 
town and the final triumph of the cause for which 
they had suffered and fought. The heart of the 
old warrior was filled wdth sorrow and he wept. 
It is said that, while the old hero thus stood in 
the presence of the dead, a large eagle, the em- 
blem of our nation, arose slowdy out of the hills 
and sailed majestically over w^here he stood and 
out over the country beyond. 

He returned to Yorktown, where he had 
assisted in besieging Cornwallis into a surrender 
that brought peace to our land and joy to our 
people. While there he joined in celebrating the 
anniversary of that event. He was invited to lay 
the corner stone of the Bunker Hill Monument 
on June l7th. He attended the ceremonies, per- 
formed his pleasant duty, and listened to the elo- 
quent Daniel Webster as he spoke of the heroism 
of our soldiers and the blessings that were to flow 
to all nations through the Constitution of our 
great republic. 

After a stay of one year in the country of his 
adoption, Lafayette sailed for France, followed 
by the blessings and prayers of a grateful people. 



CHAPTER XL 

THE DArOIITEKS OF THE DEVOLUTION. 

Though heroes may rally when Liberty falters, 

And offer their lives at her danger's appeal, 
Brave woman's self-sacrifice laid on her altars 

Make surer protection than cordons of steel. 
Though fathers and sons pour their blood like the waters 

Where the wine press of war by oppression is trod, 
The prayers of the mothers, the tears of the daughters, 

Raise mightier plea to the justice of God. 

When war is in the land there is sufferins^ in 
the homes. There, too, is the voice of sorrow 
w^here weep the wives and mothers of those who 
have gone to the front. On the field of battle 
men fearlessly face danger and death. There 
they suffer and sacrifice. There they perform 
deeds of daring and of heroism. But the greatest 
sacrifices are not always made by the men in the 
ranks of war. The greatest deeds of heroism are 
not always performed amid the roar of cannon. 
The greatest suffering is not always experienced 
on the battlefield. 

In the war for American independence the 

127 



128 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

burdens fell heavily upon the women of the colo- 
nies, and to them is no less due the victory than 
to the brave men in the field. The glory of our 
national greatness rests equally upon the wives 
and daughters w^ho sacrificed, toiled, and suffered 
at home, and their husbands and brothers who 
fought in the ranks. 

At sound of the bugle-call fathers, husbands, 
brothers, and sons hastened to the front. Almost 
every man and boy who was able to handle a 
musket flew to the defense of home and liberty. 
A¥ives gave up their husbands ; mothers sent 
their brave boys to the front ; daughters bade 
tearful good-byes to their fathers as they hurried 
to the scene of confi.ict ; and sisters sacrificed their 
brothers on the altar of their country. 

The homes of the colonists were thus stripped 
of their defenders, left desolate, and exposed to 
the attacks of the Indians, and the British soldiers 
who were little less cruel. Often the houses were 
burned, property destroyed, and stock killed or 
driven from the farms. If the w^omen objected 
they were rudely treated, and in a few cases were 
shot down by the British soldiers. 

In such straits the daughters of the Be volu- 
tion often ecjualed the men in endurance and 
bravery. Their heroism and patriotism in assist- 
ing the American soldiers and in protecting their 



rilE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION. 129 

children and their homes have never been excelled 
by the women of any country. That their hus- 
bands and sons might have food and clothino;, 
they toiled in the field and labored at the loom 
and the wheel. Ofttimes they went from door 
to door collecting food for the hungry soldiers. 
Many turned their homes into hospitals for the 
sick and wounded. The wives often stood guard, 
and molded bullets while their husbands ke23t 
off the British and Indians. Some visited the 
prisons and carried food, clothing, and sunshine 
into those dreary, dark places ; others visited the 
fields of battle, giving a drink of water to one, 
binding up the A\ounds of another, and speaking 
kind words to all. 

When swift messengers aroused the country 
after the battle of Lexington, men and boys quit 
their work, seized theii* nuiskets, and hurried to 
the front. At this time the wife of Captain Dra- 
per showed her devotion to the American cause 
in a peculiar manner. She knew that many men 
and boys would pass her home on their way to 
join the army. She knew, too, that they would 
be hungry and thirsty. So she determined to pro- 
vide for them food and drink. 

Assisted by her daughter and an old colored 
man, she spent two days and nights in baking 
bread for the patriots who would likely j)ass by 



130 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

her house. She had two large ovens, and these 
were kept going so long as she had any flour. 
By the roadside she placed large frames and 
filled them with pans of bread. The colored man 
brought a tub and filled it with cider. Here the 
hungry, thirsty soldiers stopped long enough 
to get a loaf of bread, a slice of cheese, and a 
drink of cider, then hurried on to Lexington. 
When the pans were emptied, she and her daugh- 
ter brouo-ht fresh bread from the ovens ; and the 
colored man often refilled the tub from the bar- 
rels in the cellar. 

Early on the morning after the battle of Lex- 
ington a hundred soldiers, dusty, tired, and hun- 
gry, rode up to the door of Colonel Pond. He 
was not at home, but Mrs. Pond answered their 
call. They told her how hungry they were and 
asked her for something to eat. She was not pre- 
pared to feed so large a company, but immediately 
kindled a fire under a large brass kettle and filled 
it with water with w^hich to make mush. There 
were ten cows in the barnyard and a store was near 
at hand. Some of the soldiers milked the cows, 
some stirred the mush, others went to the store 
for spoons and dishes, while her daughter and 
servant hastened to the neighbors and collected 
all the milk they could get. In a short time the 
feast was ready. The soldiers ate, mounted their 



THE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION. 131 

horses, and with three cheers for the patriotic 
Mrs. Pond rode away to join tlie army. 

The story of Mrs. Slocum shows ho^v fearless 
were the American women during the ^var. On 
the night before the battle of Moore's Creek Mrs. 
Slocum became anxious about the fate of her hus- 
band. She feared he miglit be wounded in the bat- 
tle and desired to be near him that she might care 
for him. Leaving her child asleep, she mounted a 
horse and started in the direction the troops had 
gone. The country through which she had to pass 
was swampy and there were but few houses. All 
night long she rode through the darkness. About 
nine o'clock in the morninsr she heard the firimr 
which told her that the battle had begun. She 
hastened to the battlefield, where she found many 
dead and wounded. She immediately dismounted 
and began caring for the suffering. When her hus- 
band arrived from another part of the field he was 
sui'prised to see her there, more than sixty miles 
from her home, and she was overjoyed to find 
him unhurt. About midnight she again mounted 
her horse and returned home. In less than two 
days she had ridden more than a hundred and 
twenty miles through a strange, ^vild country, 
alone and in the night-time. 

One lady called to her husband as he galloped 
down the road on his way to the aniiy : '^ Remem- 



132 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

ber to do your duty ! I would rather hear you 
were left a corpse on the field of battle than that 
you had played the part of a coward." In one 
county of North Carolina the young ladies formed 
a society and pledged themselves not to receive the 
attentions of any young man who remained at home 
while his brothers were in the field and his coun- 
try was in danger. The noble wife of General 
Greene turned her beautiful home into a hos^jital. 
The mothers wove cloth and made clothing for 
their husbands and sons, and the daughters em- 
broidered banners and presented them to the brave 
young captains with the charge that they should 
ever defend them. In Connecticut and New Jer- 
sey the women gathered the corn and stored it in 
the barns. 

At one time a British ofiicer rode up to the 
home of Lydia Darrah and demanded for himself 
and his companions one of her upper rooms. He 
told her that the family must all retire at an 
early hour. She gave them the room and sent 
the family early to bed. When all was still 
about the house, she stole softly to the door of 
the ofiicer's room, and heard him explain his 
plans to his companions. He intended to hasten 
at early dawn and attack the American army be- 
fore Washington was aware of his presence. She 
then went to her room, where she waited until 



THE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTIOX. 133 

tlie officers had departed, then hastened on foot 
live miles through the snow, and told Washington 
what she had heard. When the British arrived, 
they were surprised to find AYashington's army in 
line ready to receive them. 

The winter at Valley Forge was the darkest 
period of the war. The soldiers were \dthout 
money, without food, and many of them were 
barefoot. At night they slept on beds of straw. 
Had it not been for the efforts of the patriotic 
women their sufferings would have been even 
greater. Mrs. Washington was there sharing 
their hardships and sympathizing with them in 
their sufferings. By her acts of kindness and 
noble example she comforted and encouraged the 
disheartened soldiers. The women of the sur- 
rounding country converted their sheets and 
blankets into clothing and sent it to the suffer- 
ing troops. Those who lived near cooked j^ro vi- 
sions and carried them into camp through the 
deep snow. 

At one time the American army was almost 
without ammunition. AVashington requested that 
each family should bring to the cam^D a few 
ounces of pewter from which to make bullets. 
The women immediately answered his request by 
melting their spoons and pewter plates. In this 
way they supplied the army. 



134 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

The spirit of the Southern women is shown in 
the conduct of two young ladies at the battle of 
Rocky Mountain. When they heard the firing 
they mounted their horses and fearlessly galloped 
to the battlefield. On their way they met some 
young men fleeing from the enemy. The young 
ladies censured them for their cowardice and tried 
to persuade them to return to the fight, but they 
refused. Then the young ladies said, " Give us 
your guns, and we will take your places." The 
young men returned. 

Many American prisoners were kept in the 
British prison ships, where they starved and suf- 
fered in the darkness. Among these unfortunate 
prisoners was the husband of Mrs. McCalla. 
She begged Lord Eawdon, the British com- 
mander of the ships, to release her husband that 
he might go home to his family. He coldly said 
to her, " I w^ould rather hang such rebels than 
eat my breakfast." He then told her she would 
be allowed ten minutes and no more in which to 
visit her husband. When her short stay ended 
she shook hands with the prisoners she knew and 
said to them, '' Have no fear, the women are do- 
ing their part of the service." On her return 
home she and the neighbors prepared food and 
clothing and took them to the suffering prisoners. 

An interesting story is told of the heroism of 



THE DAUGHTERS, OF THE REVOLUTIOX. I35 

Miss Langston. She learned that the British 
were preparing to attack a settlement twenty- 
miles away, where lived her brother. She deter- 
mined to save the settlement, so she stole away 
from her home in the night-time. On her way 
she was compelled to cross streams that were not 
bridged. In crossing one of these she lost her 
way in the darkness and for some time wandered 
up and down the stream. She finally reached 
the settlement in safety, and gave the alarm. 
Without waiting to rest or change her clothes, she 
prepared food for the soldiers and then returned 
home. At another time this brave young woman 
saved the life of her father by throwing herself 
between him and the " bloody scout " who had 
come to kill him because all his boys were in the 
American army. 

At the be^-inninof of the war Mrs. Elliott em- 
broidered t\vo banners and presented them to a 
South Carolina regiment, with the request that 
they should always be defended. At the battle 
of Savannah the brave Sergeant Jasper was 
mortally wounded while boldly bearing one of 
these banners at the head of his company. As 
his comrades bore him from the field he said, 
" Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life in supporting the 
colors she presented to our regiment." 

The women of Philadelphia raised seven hun- 



136 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

clred thousand dollars for the support of the army. 
This amount included a donation from the Mar- 
quise de Lafayette. One lady carried provisions 
to her husband in prison, and in bidding him 
good-by said, " Waver not in your principles, but 
be true to your country." At one time the British 
soldiers took possession of Mrs. Motte's house and 
held it against the attacks of the Americans. In 
order to drive out the British, Mrs. Motte directed 
that her house be burned, and furnished the bov^ 
and arrows with which to throw fire upon the 
roof. In one settlement the soldiers killed all the 
stock and carried off all the provisions, leaving 
the women and children with nothing to eat but 
roasted corn. From this settlement one lady rode 
more than eighty miles to procure a peck of salt. 

From the beautiful Wyoming Valley in Penn- 
sylvania all the able-bodied men had gone to the 
war. In their absence a band of British Tories 
and Indians entered the valley, burned the houses, 
destroyed the property, and murdered the help- 
less women and children. Many mothers fled 
with their children to places of safety. Among 
them was Mrs. Gould, who started across the 
mountains to a settlement seventy miles away. 
She and her children were mounted on a horse, 
but seeing some who were too old and weak to 
make the journey, she dismounted, took her 



THE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION. 137 

youngest child in lier arms, and leading the 
others, continued her long, painful journey. They 
lived on the fruits of the forest, and at night-time 
slept under the branches of the friendly trees. 
At lengtli, tired and hungry, she readied the end 
of her journey in safety. 

At one time while a company of British red- 
coats was encamped near the home of INIrs. Gibbs 
a party of Americans was sent up the liver in 
boats to drive them off. As soon as the firing 
began, Mrs. Gibbs and her family sought a place 
of safety beyond the reach of the guns. It was 
night, the air was cold, the rain was falling, and 
they were exposed to the fire from the American 
guns, but they got safely out of the danger. The 
poor mother then discovered that she had left her 
little boy behind. His sister Anna, thirteen years 
of age, volunteered to return for him. She made 
her way back through the darkness and the flying 
shot, found him safe, and returned with him to 
his anxious, weeping mother. 

By such heroism, by such sacrifices, and by 
such loyal examples, the daughters of the Revo- 
lution thus assisted the Sons of Liberty in \vrest- 
ing victory and independence from the mother 
country. 



10 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE PIOKEEPwS OF THE IMISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 

To the blossoming banks of the " Beautiful River," 

And into the depth of the shadowy woods, 
Where the sun-lighted streams of the prairies deliver 

The " Father of Waters " their silvery floods, 
Undaunted by danger, unconquered, true-hearted. 

With axe-beaten march the brave pioneers came ; 
And the wild-tangled veil of the wilderness parted, 

As Progress swept onward with banners of flame. 

When the Declaration of Independence was 
adopted in tlie city of Pliiladelphia, the settle- 
ments of the colonies still nestled near the coast 
of the Atlantic. But few settlers had ventured 
more than a hundred miles beyond tide w^ater. 
While war clouds were gathering over the thir- 
teen colonies, beyond the Alleghanies there was 
quiet. Vast herds of buffalo grazed on the plains 
unaifrighted. The "shadowy deer" browsed 
through the forest undisturbed by white men. 
The dusky papoose slept peacefully in the sun, 
while his father joined in the chase, and his 
mother sang her strange, wild lullaby. 

138 



PIONEERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. I39 

Alono: tlie Great Lakes and the rivers of tlie 
Mississippi Valley was a chain of forts held by the 
English, the Spaniards, and the French. The wil- 
derness was the home of many tribes of Indians 
w^ho thought the Great Spirit had given to them 
the forest and all it held. These enemies of the 
colonists had kept them on the Atlantic slope, and 
except to a very few the Mississippi Valley was 
a sealed book. A few bold men had crossed the 
mountains and liad Ijrouo^ht back wondei-ful sto- 
ries of the land beyond. There were unbroken 
forests fragrant with the breath of flowers and 
rich with the music of birds. There, too, large 
herds of buffalo grazed in fertile valleys through 
which flowed beautiful rivers. To them it was 
the land of promise. 

When the news of this beautiful country \vas 
carried to the colonies, a few daring hunters crossed 
the mountains and penetrated the forest on the 
other side. At first tliere were but two or three 
with rifles and dogs ; then came their wives and 
children. Other men with their families followed. 
Over the mountains and through the wilderness 
they came on horseback and in ox-carts. A leather 
strap, a broken wheel, a pile of stones were silent 
witnesses of the toiling:, of the suffering^, and of the 
death of these brave pioneers. A few rude cabins 
were built in the dark forest ; the trees were 



14:0 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

felled ; the soil was tilled ; the cabins increased in 
number ; villages sprang up and grew into cities ; 
the buffalo were driven Westward ; the deer were 
hunted from their forest homes ; and the wild red 
men retreated before the swift strides of civiliza- 
tion. But the pioneers — where are they ? Like 
the Indian they, too, have disappeared. Their 
cabins have been leveled to the ground, and their 
graves are unmarked. 

These were brave men and devoted women, 
and ^' builded better than they knew." They little 
thought Chey were laying in the wilderness so 
great a foundation. They little dreamed they 
were opening so wide the gates to the undiscov- 
ered mines of Western wealth. They knew not 
of the vast beds of coal and fields of gas, and the 
hidden mines of iron, silver, and gold. They 
were ignorant of the greatness of the blessings 
they so dearly bought for their grandchildren. 
In the wake of the slow plodding ox-cart soon 
came the locomotive flying over the plains like 
the antelope and climbing the mountains like the 
mountain sheep. The trees on which they nailed 
the first laws enacted in the wilderness have 
fallen, great cities have sprung up, and in the 
Mississippi Valley many prosperous States have 
been organized under the protection of our na- 
tional Constitution. 



PIONEERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 14L 

Among those who gave up the comforts of an 
Eastern home for the freedom of the wiklerness 
none was greater than Daniel Boone. He was 
great because of his simple and courageous devo- 
tion to duty, not because of his thrilling experi- 
ence with the Indians or his sufferins^s in the wilds 
of the West, for in these things he was surpassed 
by many. It was he who led into the '' Dark and 
Bloody Ground" that daring band of pioneers 
who were to make " the wilderness blossom as the 
rose." 

This son of the forest was bom February 11, 
1734. In a cabin made of logs he received all 
his limited education. While he was yet young 
his father moved to Beading, Pennsylvania. Here 
young Daniel came in contact with Indian life. 
He fell in love ^dth the forest, became an expert 
with his rifle, and joined fearlessly in the chase. 

Afterward he left these scenes of his boyhood 
days and went to North Carolina, where he mar- 
ried while yet a very young man. With his young 
wife he moved into the wilderness near the moun- 
tains and there built a rude log hut. In this for- 
est home he was contented and haj^py until other 
settlers built cabins near him. He then grew 
restless and longed to cross the mountains that 
lifted their heads high above him, and traverse 
the wilderness on the other side. The storm 



142 STORIES' OF COLUMBIA. 

clouds of the great Revolution were gathering, 
and Boone sighed for the peace and fi^eedom to 
be found in the wilderness. 

In the spring of 1769, with five bold compan- 
ions, he climbed the mountains from whose tops 
lie looked over into the promised land of Ken- 
tucky. Here he beheld magniiicent forests stretch- 
ing away to beautiful valleys through which were 
■flowing majestic rivers. It was a beautiful coun- 
try — more beautiful than any he had before 
looked upon. As he gazed, his simple nature was 
filled with awe. He descended from the moun- 
tains and traversed the forests fragrant with 
blooming flowers, enchanted by the songs of many 
birds, and inhabited by wild beasts and wilder 
Indians. 

In the forest Boone built his camp. One day 
while he and one of his companions were out 
hunting they were captured by a band of Indians. 
They expected to be put to death ; but they were 
kept as prisoners for a week or more, when one 
night Boone freed himself, awoke his companion, 
and they escaped into the forest. They hastened 
to their camp, which they found destroyed, and 
their companions gone. In the forest, surrounded 
by savages, these two men were left alone. 

Shortly after their escape they were joined by 
Boone's brother and a companion. The long sum- 




Dun i el Boone. 



nOXEERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 143 

mer days they spent in hunting, fishing, and ex- 
ploring the forest. One of their party was killed 
by the Indians and another returned home, leaving 
Boone and his brother alone. 

It became necessary for his brother to return 
home for such provisions as the forest did not 
afford, and Boone was left in the solitude of the 
wilderness. Here he remained, hunting by day 
and sleeping in the canebrake at night. At the 
end of three months he was made glad by the 
return of his brother ^^ ith two horses laden with 
provisions and amnmnition. Eight months they 
spent in exploring the country; then, after an 
absence of almost two years, returned to their 
friends, who had given them up as lost. Before 
departing for home they selected a beautiful part 
of the country and resolved to return with their 
families and there found a settlement. 

In 1773 Boone, with a number of families, 
started upon his return to the land of promise. 
They were approaching the mountains, when the 
young men who were guarding the cattle in the 
rear were suddenly attacked by a band of Indians 
and six of their number killed. Among the slain 
was Boone's oldest son. Silently and sadly they 
laid their dead away on the mountain side, then 
turned back to their homes. 

At the close of the French and Indian War 



144 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

large tracts of land beyond the mountains were 
granted to the soldiers of that war. This land 
was not yet surveyed. The next year, after Boone 
and his family had returned to their home, the 
Governor of Virginia chose him to lead a party of 
surveyors into this strange country across the 
Ohio. He fearlessly entered upon his task, accom- 
plished it, and again returned to his family. 

The longing for the excitement of the chase 
and the solitude of the forest soon returned to 
him. He again visited the wilds of Kentucky, and 
built a fort where now stands the town of Boones- 
borough, which became the center of Western 
civilization. When all things were in readiness, 
he visited his home and returned with his wife 
and daughter, who were the first white women to 
stand upon the banks of the Kentucky Kiver. 
One beautiful evening near the close of Septem- 
ber, just as the setting sun was casting a golden 
hue over the changing forest, Boone and his family 
appeared before the fort. At sight of these brave 
women the pioneers made the forest echo with 
their shouts. 

Soon after Boone's return a friend of his from 
beyond the mountains arrived at the fort with his 
family. Their daughters soon became very much 
attached to each other, and often wandered into 
the forest near the fort. Growing bolder, they 



PIOXEERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 145 

one day secured a boat and crossed the river. 
While they were seated in the boat under the 
overhanging branches of a tree, a dusky savage 
stealthily stole from the forest into the water and, 
before the girls knew of their danger, seized the 
cord and pulled the boat to the land. Other In- 
dians rushed forward and carried the girls into 
the forest. 

There was great sorrow in the fort when they 
learned of the fate of the girls. The men were 
absent from the fort. When they returned a 
company started in pursuit. Boone was chosen 
leader. As their only boat had been taken, they 
had great difficulty in crossing the river. The 
crossing was made, they found the trail, and 
eagerly started in pursuit. After following the 
trail many miles into the forest they came upon 
the Indians camped for the night. The girls were 
safe, but surrounded by painted wariiors. An 
attack was made upon the Indians, they were de- 
feated, and the girls were rescued and returned to 
their sorrowing mothers. 

Afterward, while hunting in the forest alone, 
Boone was captured by the Indians and carried 
through the forest far to the north. For many 
weeks they held him as a captive. At leugth he 
escaped and made his way back to the fort, where 
he hoped to be welcomed by his wife and chil- 



146 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

dren, but they were gone. They thought him 
dead, and had returned to their friends in the 
East. The brave man's heart was full, and he 
wept. 

In 1780 the severity of the winter brought 
suffering to the homes of the settlers. In early 
winter a deep snow fell and lay upon the ground 
for three months. The wild animals iled to the 
most dense forests for shelter. Provisions grew 
scarce, and the voice of sorrow was heard in the 
wilderness. At length the sun returned, the warm 
south wind blew upon the snow, and winter re- 
treated northward. 

Other settlements were formed and the sound 
of civilization was heard on every hand. Boone 
had received no title to the land on which he had 
settled. He soon learned that others had been 
given a title to his home, and that he had been left 
homeless by the Government to which he had given 
the Mississippi Valley. 

With his faithful wife the old hunter crossed 
the Mississippi and pushed into the wilderness be- 
yond, driving his stock before him. His fame had 
preceded him, and when he arrived he was wel- 
comed and given a large tract of land. 

He now felt that he could spend his old age 
in peace. He devoted his time to hunting and 
trapping. When he had made enough money 



PIONEERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 14 7 

Avith ^vliicli to pay all the debts he had left be- 
hind him in Kentucky he returned, paid them off, 
and then, with but a few pennies in his pocket, 
he sought the quiet of his home beyond the Mis- 
sissippi. 

At the age of seventy-six he was again left 
homeless. Soon after tliis the light of his life 
A\'ent out in the death of his wife. Congress voted 
him a small tract of land, and he again sought 
comfort in the chase. His iron frame was now 
bent and his step was feeble. Feeling that the 
end of his life was near, he selected a spot, over- 
looking the river, on which he desu^ed to be 
buried. 

On September 26, 1820, he passed aw-ay and 
was buried on the spot lie had selected. In 1845 
his body was removed to Frankfort, Kentucky, 
and now rests in the soil that he redeemed from 
the wilderness. 

Tliis is the story of l)ut one of the many brave 
men wlio, fearless of danger, pushed forward into 
the wilderness, subdued it, and gave the great 
West to civilization. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

TWO FAMOUS RIDES. 

When Freedom's shattered columns reel 
And shrink to meet the foeman's steel, 
From out the storied past shall come 
A sound of hoof-beats, like a drum, 
And every patriot soul shall rise 
New-girded for its high emprise, 
And feel that victory rideth near 
With Sheridan and Paul Revere. 

" Listen, my children, and you shall hear 
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere." 

General Gage, witli his army of British sol- 
diers, lay at Boston, where he had been sent to 
frio-hten the Americans into submission. He was 
closely watched by a band of young men called 
the ^' Sons of Liberty." So watchful were they 
that all his movements were known to them. 

Among these young patriots was Paul Revere, 
w^ho had fought with the British against the 
French and Indians, and knew all the country 
round about. AVhen England sent a ship-load 
of tea to Boston, he was one of the " Tea Party " 
that threw it into the harbor. He loved his 

148 



TWO FAMOUS RIDES. 149 

country, and was ever ready to defend it against 
an enemy. 

Then there were no railroads, no telegraph, nor 
telephone. Neither were there any steamboats on 
the waters. The only means of travel was in the 
slow-rolling stage coach. A\'hen any imj)ortant 
message was to be carried from one colony to an- 
other, some one brave and strong ^vas chosen to 
carry it. Paul Revere was a bold, fearless horse- 
man, and Avell fitted to make these long and dan- 
gerous rides. 

When the mother country declared that noth- 
ing more should be shipped to Boston, and closed 
her port. Revere was sent far to the South to tell 
the story of our wrongs. When General Gage 
declared Samuel Adams and Jolm Hancock to be 
traitors and offered a reward for tlieir arrest, he 
hastened to warn them. When evil tidings were 
brought from tlie mother country. Revere w^as 
cliosen to carry the news to the colonies far away. 
Mounted upon his noble horse, with a brave heart 
and a strong arm, he would fearlessly plunge into 
the wilderness on his country's mission. When 
the great struggle for American libei'ty came, Re- 
vere was well prepared for mighty deeds. 

On the 18th of April, 1775, General Gage de- 
termined to sail secretly from Boston and in the 
early morning to capture or destroy the American 



l^Q STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

stores at Concord. Their flour was there ; there, 
too, were their powder and cannon. The loss of 
these would have been a sad blow to the American 
cause. However, the secret was out. The ever- 
watchful liberty boys had learned of his plan, and 
determined to defeat him. 

When night had fallen over the city a hurried 
council was held, and Paul Revere was selected 
to make the ride to Lexington and Concord, arouse 
the minute-men on his journey, and warn the peo- 
ple of the approach of the British army. He has- 
tened on foot to the river Charles, Here in the 
light of the newly risen moon he could plainly see 
the British war vessel, the Somerset, lying at her 
moorings. With muffled oars two friends silently 
rowed him across to Charlestown. Here he ar- 
rano-ed with the old sexton of North Church to 
notify the people of Charlestown and the surround- 
ing country whether the British went out by land 
or by sea. If by land, one light was to be hung 
in the steeple ; if by sea, two. Soon there were 
seen dimly but surely shining from the old church 
tower two small, steady lights. They wxre but 
two tallow candles, yet their rays are still burn- 
ing and shining in the hearts of the American 
people. 

The directions were given the old sexton, and 
from the stable was brought a strong, swift horse 



TWO FAMOUS EWES. 151 

vvbicli was groomed and saddled with unusual 
care. When all was in readiness, Paul Eevere 
leaped into the saddle and sped away upon his 
dangerous but important errand. The people 
along the way were aroused fi*om their beds by 
the clatter of hoofs and the warning cry, "The 
regulars are out ! " A moment he stopped at 
some well-kno\vn door and aroused the patriots 
witliin, then with quickening speed hastened on, 
making the forest ring with his ^varning cry. 
The sleeping birds, frightened from their nests, 
looked dreamily about, but the rider and his steed 
had vanished in the shadow of the woods. The 
sly fox, thinking some hunter was upon liis track, 
crept softly from his bed and quietly stole farther 
away into the forest. The wise old owl from 
his limb on the oak earnestly shouted, '^ \\'hoo ! 
whoo ! " but Eevere paused not to answer. 

Eevere reached Lexington, twelve miles dis- 
tant from Boston, and soon there was a liurrying 
of feet, a sound of muffled voices, and then a call to 
arms. Concord was six miles farther away. He 
hastened thither, warning the people as he urged 
forward liis foaming steed. He was met by some 
British soldiers, was captured, but escaped, and 
again rode with all speed for Concord, which he 
reached at two o'clock in the morning. " The 
regulars are out ! " was passed from lip to lip and 



152 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

from house to house. Soon lights were seen 
shining from every window and messengers were 
hurried off in every direction. 

At early dawn farmers with carts and wagons, 
some drawn by horses and some by oxen, were 
seen driving slowly into Concord. They were 
coming to carry away the stores and cannon to 
a place of safety. The powder and flour were 
hidden away in haymows, and in the fields graves 
were dug for the cannon. Here they were hur- 
riedly buried; then the farmers continued their 
plowing which they had left the evening before. 

The morning of April 19th opened bright 
and beautiful. An early spring had clothed the 
fields with green and the forest trees were fresh 
with swelling buds. The cows were lowing in the 
pastures and the lambs were playing on the hill- 
sides. The air was freighted with the fragrance 
of blooming orchards and flowering meadows. 
The morning sun had awakened a thousand merry 
songsters who poured forth their music from 
bush and tree. This scene was soon to be dis- 
turbed by the shrill whistle of the fife, the beat- 
ing of drums, and the heavy tread of eight hun- 
dred advancing British soldiers. 

They were on their way to Concord. When 
they reached Lexington they found a company of 
minute-men gathering to protect and defend their 



TWO FAMOUS HIDES. 153 



property and their homes. They were ordered to 
disperse and hiy down their arms, but they re- 
fused and stood their ground. The order was then 
o;iven to fire. The sound of muskets rang out on 
the clear morning air, and when the smoke had 
rolled back, seven x)atriots were found dead upon 
the rich green carpet that Nature had spread 
under their feet. 

The British flushed on to Concord, where they 
hoped to find the American stores. In this they 
were disappointed, for almost everything had been 
taken to a place of safety. They destroyed what 
they could find, then hastened to return to 
Boston. Their return was nuich more difilcult 
and dangerous than their'advauce. Men stooped 
with age took down their trusty muskets in de- 
fense of their country. Every boy old enough 
to carry a gun hastened to attack the British. 
There was no commander, no orders were given, 
but from behind trees, stones, and fences was 
poured forth volley after volley upon the retreat- 
ino" soldiers. So fierce was the attack that three 
hundred British were killed, and the remainder 
were saved only by the arrival of fresh troops 
fi'om Boston. 

The roar of cannon in the " sunny South " in 
the sj)ring of 1861 announced the presence of a 
war more dreadful than our country had ever 
11 



15i STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

before known. It lasted four long years, and 
when peace liad again come to our fair land 
tliere was heard the sound of weeping in almost 
every home. Many thousands of our brave young 
men had fallen on the field of battle, and many 
more had returned to their homes maimed and 
scarred for life. 

One of the many heroes of this war was Gen- 
eral Phil. Sheridan. He had spent six years among 
the Indians. He was a bold and fearless leader 
who had been in many battles. He had stood 
wdth his men w^hen all others had been driven 
from the field. Where the balls were flying 
thickest there he had ridden at the head of his 
column. He knew no such thino^ as fear. 

In Virginia there is a delightful valley. 
Through this valley winds the beautiful Shenan- 
doah River. It pours its waters into the Potomac, 
which flows into the stormy Atlantic. On the 
east of this valley stand the stately Blue Eidge 
Mountains like giant sentinels keeping watch 
over the sleeping valley. Stretching far away to 
the west are the Alleghanies, forming a stone 
wall of defense. The valley meets the plains of 
the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. To this valley 
the Southern General Lee sent General Early, 
who drove everything before him, hurried up the 
valley, and threatened to capture Washington 



TWO FAMOUS BIDES. 155 



City. There was great alarm all over tlie country. 
General Grant sent the gallant Sheridan into the 
valley to save Wasliington and check the daring 
Southern general. In several battles Sheridan de- 
feated him, and at Winchester sent his men 
"flying up the valley." Early was so severely 
defeated that Sheridan thought he would not care 
to engage in anotlier battle soon, so he made a 
hurried visit to Washington. 

Early was not going to give up the valley 
without another struggle. He returned and in 
the darkness of the night led his men along the 
steep cliffs very near where the Union army lay 
asleep in the valley. Having gained the rear, he 
silently awaited the coming on of day. In the 
early dawn of October 19, 1864, like a tiger from 
its lair he sprang from his hiding place upon the 
Union army. The soldiers were completely sur- 
prised. Many huriied from their beds and as 
hurriedly formed their lines and tried to keep 
back tlie enemy. Many slept on. They were 
killed in their beds. There was fighting every- 
w^here. The Union soldiers fought with all bra- 
very, but they could not rally from their first 
surprise, and were driven from the field in great 
confusion. 

General Sheridan was on his return to the 
army, when 



15G STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

•' Up from the south at break of day, 
Bringing to Winchester fresh dismay, 
The affrighted air with a shudder bore, 
Like a herald in haste, to the chieftain's door, 
The terrible grumble and rumble and roar, 
Telling the battle was on once more, 
And Sheridan twenty miles away." 

" The rumble and roar " told the gallant general 
that he was needed on the field of battle. He 
was mounted on a large black horse of Kentucky 
blood. The liorse had been in many a race be- 
fore, and was anxious to obey the wisli of his 
rider. Sheridan drew the rein, touched him gen- 
tly witk his spurs, and away he flew on his impor- 
tant mission. Like an arrow he sped away down 
the winding road to Cedar Creek. Past field and 
farmhouse, by hill and stream, the noble black 
seemed to fly, and paused not until twelve miles 
away Sheridan met some retreating stragglers 
from his army. Witli cap in hand he shouted : 
^' Face the other way, boys ; we are going back to 
our camps ! " Immediately tbey faced the other 
way, determined to follow their fearless leader 
to victory or to death. On he flew to Cedar 
Creek, where he found his men confused and scat- 
tered. When the defeated and disheartened sol- 
diers saw their gallant commander flying down 
the road, waving his cap high above his head, 
one mighty shout Avent uj) from the ranks. The 



\>:^; 









^>^ 



?St;-^ r^.- 











TWO FAMOUS RIDES. 157 

men had neither eaten nor drunk since the day 
before. They were tired, hungry, and thirsty, but 
they were inspired by the presence of tlieir leader. 
Every sword was grasped with a firmer hand ; 
every heart beat with a bokler stroke ; victory 
was seen in every face. They turaed about and 
fell upon the enemy, and after hard fighting drove 
him from the lield. Niu'ht alone saved the Heeins^ 
army. 

Paul Re\'ere in his midniu'lit ride of eiii:hteen 
miles saved the stores at Concord, roused the 
mighty minute-men, and gave the British soldiers 
a chance to learn what our untrained ])atriots 
could do. Sheridan rode twenty miles, saved the 
day at Cedar Creek, and drove back the enemy 
from the nation's capital. The deed of one is 
recorded by Longfellow in his Midnight Eide of 
Paul Revere. Thomas B. Read sings the praise 
of the other in Sheridan's Ride. The memory of 
both is revered by sixty millions of people. 



CHAPTEE XIV. 

SOME NAVAL HEROES. 

Oh, hearts undaunted, to you belong 
The crown of fame and the wealth of song, 
For the first fair dawn of a nation broke 
Through the thunder-cloud of your battle smoke. 

While Washington and liis little band of sol- 
diers were fighting and suffering on land, Paul 
Jones was winning renown upon the sea. He 
was not an American. He was born in Scotland 
and lived near the sea. He loved the blue waters 
of the ocean and became a sailor lad when he 
was but twelve years old. When he was thir- 
teen he made a voyage to America. While here 
he formed a strong friendship for the colonies 
and their people. Three years before the Declara- 
tion of Independence he adopted America as his 
country and home. A few years afterward his 
adopted country commissioned him as an officer 
in her little navy. 

He was permitted to sail at will upon the 
Atlantic and her seas and guKs. He was brave 

158 



SOME XAVAL HEROES. 159 

aud daring, and captured English vessels ^vlier- 
ever he could find them. With his little fleet 
he hovered around the British Isles, watching for 
an opportunity to strike a blow for his adopted 
country. The English looked upon hhn as an 
evil spirit, and the mention of his name filled the 
children with fear. At one time he defeated the 
Drake, then boldly bore down upon the coast of 
his native country. Here he took a gi'eat num- 
ber of prisoners, and seized all the cattle, shee]>, 
and provisi(ms he could find. He also captured 
a pilot and compelled him to take his place at 
the wheel and pilot the vessel among the islands 
and tlirough the dangerous channels around Eng- 
land. Signal fires were kept Inirning along the 
coast of England and Scotland to warn approach- 
ino- vessels that the dreaded Paul Jones was near. 
Seven British sea cai)tains Avere in search of him, 
l)ut failed to capture hhn. 

He longed to do still greater things. He 
wanted a vessel with which he might be able to 
meet and con(iuer the best of the British navy. 
He went to France and asked for such a ship. 
After impatiently waiting for a long time, he was 
given command of a small scpiadron of five ves- 
sels. He was again given permission to sail where 
he chose, but was to return to France within a 
certain time. To the ship on which he sailed he 



IQQ STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

gave tlie name Bon Homme Richard, in honor of 
Benjamin Franklin. AVith a determination to hnni- 
ble the pride of the British navy, he immediately 
put out to sea. He found no war ships v^ith which 
to engage, but he captured many prizes. He grew 
impatient. The time for his return was nearly 
up and he had met no enemy. One more day, 
aud he must join his other vessels and end his 
cruise. September 22, 1779, closed with a beau- 
tiful sunset, and the full moon lit up the waters and 
showed the white sails of the fishing-smacks along 
the coast. The North Sea was alive with danc- 
ing waves that sported around the Bon Homme 
Richard. The gentle September wind made soft, 
sweet music among; the rio-o^ins;, but it o^laddened 
not the heart of Paul Jones. His cruise had 
promised so much, but now it must end in a fail- 
ure. The hope that had so long kept him up 
now gave way to disappointment and to despair. 
With folded arms and bent form he walked the 
deck. Now and then he would step to the rail- 
ing, look down upon the deep blue waters, then 
again continue his walk. Thus he spent the early 
hours of the night, little dreaming that the day 
^vould bring to him victory and glory. 

The morning of September 23, 1779, dawned 
in beauty and in splendor. A mist fringed the 
English coast and a gentle wdnd came in from 



SOME KA VA L HER OES. 10 1 

the south. The waves leaped up against the 
sides of the vessels, then rushed off across the sea 
like children at play. The North Sea seemed 
like a great sheet of silver as the rays of the Sep- 
tember sun fell upon the dancing, rollicking waves. 
Paul Jones stood upon the deck of the Bon 
Homme Kichard and eagerly scanned the horizon, 
hoping to catch a glimpse of some British sail. 
The morning passed all too quickly for the Scotch- 
man. About noon, as they were chasing a small 
vessel, a merchant sliip rounded Flamborough 
Head. Soon another ap})eared. Paul Jones knew 
this was the Baltic fleet for which he had been 
watching. One sail followed another, until forty 
stretched away in a long, stately line across the 
water. They looked like beautiful swans as they 
glided over the smooth sea with their new white 
sails spread to the breeze. It was a beautiful 
sierht — one tliat thrilled the whole beinc: of the 
gaUant Paul Jones. 

Soon two fierce-looking British war ships 
glided round the head and sailed out between the 
fleet and the American vessels. The Sera2)is was 
the flagship of the British fleet, and was com- 
manded by Captain Pearson. He was a brave 
man and was quite anxious for a fight. 

On England's shore stood thousands of peo- 
ple. They had seen Paul Jones hovering around 



IQ2 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

the island and knew he meant mischief. They 
also knew their fleet w^ould soon appear, and they 
feared for its safety. 

When Captain Jones signaled to give chase 
and gave the order to prepare for action, a mighty 
cheer went up from the Bon Homme Kichard 
and rolled off across the waters to England's wait- 
ins: thousands. The sailor lads mounted into the 
rio:o:ino^ and set the sails. The gunners took their 
positions at the guns. Every man was at his 
post, resolved to conquer or to die. 

All the afternoon was spent in preparation for 
the great battle that was to follow. Just as the 
harvest moon began to cast dim shadows upon 
the water, the Serapis and Bon Homme Richard 
rushed at each other like two powerful gladia- 
tors. There was a silence as if death were walk- 
ing u2X)n the waters — a silence broken only by 
the commands of the officers and the swish of 
the water as it was divided by the keels of the 
vessels. The British flag was nailed to the mast- 
head of the Serapis, and the American colors 
were flying over the Bon Homme Richard. 

The Serapis hailed the Richard, and was given 
a broadside for an answer. Immediately the 
powerful guns of the Serapis responded to the 
broadside. The chalky cliffs of England's shore 
rolled back the sound, announcing that the people 



, SOME XAFAL HEROES. 1G3 

knew the battle was on. At tlie first discharge of 
the RicharcFs six eighteen-poimders two of them 
burst with deadly effect. A second round, and all 
were disabled. It was reported to Captain Jones 
that the guns ^\ere disabled, and that the ship 
wafi leaking badly. He sent back the command, 
" Keep her afloat as long as possible, and as long 
as she floats she shall be fouc^ht." This command 
was greeted with a shout that was heard even 
above the din of the battle. 

At one time the vessels got a position where 
neither could fire upon the other. There was deep 
silence, and all on shore thought the battle had 
ended. The silence was broken by Captain Pear- 
son, who shouted, ''Have you surrendered ? " Tlie 
rigging of the Eichard was on fire, she had but 
three small guns, and the water was five feet deep 
in the hold, yet Captain Jones responded, '^ We 
haven't begun to fight yet ! " The vessels again 
approached eacli other. This time they came so 
close that the muzzles of the cannon grated harsh- 
ly together. The rigging became entangled, and 
with his own hands Captain Jones lashed the ves- 
sels together. The south wind had died away 
and there was a calm upon the water. Fastened 
together, the t^vo vessels drifted with the tide, 
fighting as they drifted. The British tried to 
board the Richard, when Captain Jones seized a 



IQ4: S TOBIES OF COLUMBIA. 

pike, rushed to the gangway, and single-handed 
beat them back. 

Three long hours the battle raged. The hull 
of the Richard was almost shot away. The decks 
of both vessels w^ere covered with the wounded 
and dead. The mainmast of the Serapis toppled 
and fell. It had been a dreadful battle of brave 
men. Just as the moon shone through a rift in 
the clouds, the brave Captain Pearson was seen to 
pull down the British flag which had been nailed 
to the masthead of the Serapis. The firing ceased, 
the Serapis surrendered, and the brave Paul Jones 
had achieved a wonderful victory. 

On the following day the wounded were cared 
for, and the dead were buried in the waters of the 
deep. Captain Jones w^as anxious to take the 
Bon Homme Richard into port, but on the second 
day she was found to be sinking. Her crew were 
transferred to the Serapis. At length she gave a 
lurch forward and the waters opened to receive 
her. As she went down, her gallant captain sadly 
said, " Good-by, brave ship." 

The conqueror of the Serapis went to France, 
where he was royally received. The king was so 
pleased with his conduct that he presented him 
with a sword made of gold. After an absence of 
three years he returned to America and was every- 
where joyfully received. Congress commended 



SOME XAVAL HEROES. 1G5 

Liin for his bravery, voted liim a gold medal, and 
made him captain of the new ship America. 

At the close of 1783 Endand and the colonies 
signed a treaty of peace, the British soldiers sailed 
from Boston, and the great Revolution was at an 
end. In the treaty England acknowledged the 
colonies to be free and independent, but circum- 
stances soon proved that they were not independ- 
ent, and that the thirty years following the 
treaty was only a lull in the hostilities between 
the two countries. Benjamin Franklin wisely 
said, "The war for inde[)endence is yet to be 
fought." 

The English peo}>le looked upon the United 
States as an inferior nation and her people as 
an inferior people. Tney spoke of tlie American 
flag as a strip of striped bunting. When they 
acknowledged the independence of the colonies, 
they hoped the colonists would not be able to 
form a government for themselves, and would re- 
turn to the mother country as a wayward child 
returns to his parents. Wlien the colonists proved 
themselves capable of self-government by adopt- 
ing the greatest written Constitution known to the 
world, and under it began to prosper, England 
became jealous and put every hindrance in the way 
of our progress. She was strong, and felt no fear 
in violating the treaty of peace. 



IQQ STORES OF COLUMBIA. 

England and France were again at war, and 
England passed a law tliat no country should send 
goods of any kind to France or any of lier colo- 
nies. As tlie United States carried most of her 
products to France, this law would almost destroy 
her commerce. If any vessel was found carrying 
goods bound for France it was captured as a prize 
and turned over to the British Government. Amer- 
icans contended that they had a right to trade with 
any country they chose, and that no other coun- 
try had any right to say they should not enjoy 
this privilege. 

" Once an Englishman always an Englishman " 
was the belief in England in regard to her citizens. 
The United States Constitution provided that a 
citizen of any country might become a citizen of 
the United States after a certain length of time by 
complying with certain requirements. These two 
views, so very different, were a source of a great 
deal of trouble between these two countries. Eng- 
land claimed the rio-ht to search American vessels 
and take from them any one whom the captain 
thought to be a subject of England. British war 
ships were thus permitted to stop American ves- 
sels anywhere on the ocean and take from them 
any one suspected of being a deserter from the 
British navy. It sometimes happened that men 
were taken, with their certificates of American 



SOME NAVAL HEROES. 107 

citizenship iu tlieir hands, and forced into the 
British service. In some cases so many of the 
crew were taken as to leave the vessels without 
enough men to man their sails. At one time the 
captain of the Chesapeake refused to allo^v the 
captain of the Leopard to search his ship, when 
the Leopard compelled him to sul)mit ]3y turn- 
ing her guns on the Chesapeake and killing and 
woundincT a number of her crew. 

The United States remonstrated against such 
treatment, but to no purpose. English ships of 
war continued to capture American vessels, im- 
press American seamen, and insult the American 
Hag. At length the war trumpet was sounded, 
and America flew to arms, with the battle cry, 
" Free trade and sailors' rights ! " As it Avas a war 
for sailors' rights, it was to be fought chiefly on 
the ocean. 

At this time England was mistress of the sea. 
She had conquered the Dutch, she had driven the 
Russians from the ocean, she had shut up the 
Italians in the Mediterranean, and under the great 
Nelson had destroyed the combined fleet of 
France and Spain. Her sails were on every sea. 
It was boasted in England that the British flag 
had not been struck to an equal foe in a hundred 
years. Opposed to this powerful navy was the 
American navy, not yet a quarter of a century 



1(58 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

old and of less than twenty vessels. Upon sucli a 
navy England looked with contempt, and decided 
to sweep it from the ocean. How well she suc- 
ceeded will be seen further on. 

The history of Perry, Lawrence, and Hull, with 
their daring sailor boys, is the history of our 
many bold sea captains in their light for ^'free 
trade and sailors' rights." 

About the middle of July, 1812, while a 
British squadron was cruising off the coast of 
New England the captain of the squadron saw a 
sino^le vessel far to the northeast. This was the 
Constitution, an American vessel commanded by 
Captain Hull and carrying four hundred and fifty 
men. Late in the afternoon Hull saw the fleet ap- 
proaching him. The night was spent in suspense. 
In the light of the early dawn the British vessels 
were seen under full sail speeding toward the 
Constitution. It was not possible for Captain 
Hull with his lone vessel to fight the powerful 
foe that was bearing down upon him. His only 
hope of safety lay in flight. 

The Constitution was put under full sail and 
the retreat was begun, with the squadron in close 
pursuit. The American vessel was cleared for 
action. The long guns w^ere brought up and 
hauled to the stern of the ship. Holes were made 
in the sides of the cabin and the dangerous muz- 




Chase of the Constitution. 



SOME NA VAL HEROES. 169 

zles of the twenty -four-pound guns were run out. 
The Shannon Hred several shots, but she was too 
far away, and the heavy balls dropped with a 
plash into the ocean far astern of the Constitution. 
Suddenly there was a calm. There ^vas not a breeze 
astir. The Constitution remained motionless on 
the quiet sea. The situation grew more exciting 
and more dancrerous each moment. The small 
boats were lowered and into them leaped the 
sturdy sailors. Some grasped the oars and others 
seized the cables of the ship, and she was ])ulled 
through the waters by the strength of the men. 

The chase continued all day, and at sunset the 
Constitution was four miles ahead of the fleet. 
As the sun went down angry clouds overspread 
the sky and a fierce squall struck the Constitu- 
tion, but she passed safely through it. All night 
long the gunners slept at their guns and the sailors 
by turns slept on the deck or watched at their 
posts. As morning dawned on the third day, 
only the tops of the British sails were seen abov^e 
the horizon. Before noon the chase was given up, 
and the Constitution sped away to Boston Harbor. 

Captain Hull kept his vessel in port almost a 
month, when he again put to sea. He soon fell 
in with the Guerriere, a British frigate carrying 
thirty-eight guns and commanded by Captain 
Dacres. This was one of the vessels that assisted 

12 



170 



STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 



in cliasing the Constitution a month before. Cap- 
tain Hull was glad to meet with his old acquaint- 
ance again. Both vessels prepared for action. 

The Constitution hoisted the American flag 
and bore gallantly down upon her enemy, who 
ran up the British colors. The Guerriere opened 
on the Constitution with a broadside as she 
approached, but Captain Hull reserved his fire 
until his vessel was alongside the Guerriere. 
Then he shouted, " Now, boys, pour it into them ! " 
The reply was a terrific broadside which shattered 
the masts and spars of the British frigate. Broad- 
side was answered by broadside at half pistol shot. 
The masts of the vessels became entangled, and 
they lay alongside each other, while the great 
guns and muskets kept up a deadly fire. Each 
crew tried to board the vessel of the other, but 
was beaten back by a rough sea and by brave de- 
fenders. The Constitution finally broke away 
from her antagonist, and she rolled back into the 
trough of the sea a helpless wreck. The Constitu- 
tion lay by her until morning, when she was found 
to be sinking. Her crew was immediately trans- 
ferred to the Constitution and the Guerriere was 
fired and blown up. This victory brought joy to 
the Americans and surprise and sorrow to the 
English. 

Near the close of Mav, 1813, the British war 



SOM?: NAVAL HEROES. 171 

ship Shannon appeared off Boston Hai^bor, and her 
commander, Captain Broke, sent to Captain Law- 
rence, of the Chesapeake, a challenge to meet him 
in battle. Lawrence immediately accepted the 
challenge, though he had been in command of 
the Chesapeake but a few days, and his men ^n ere 
strano^e to him and to one another. The Chesa- 
peake carried thirty-eight guns aud an untrained 
crew. The Shannon carried lifty-two guns and a 
crew which Captain Broke had been training for 
more than seven years. She was considered the 
most powerful British vessel then in American 
waters. 

The Chesapeake put boldly out to meet her 
enemy. At her masthead was flying a banner 
bearing; the words "Free trade and sailors' 
ri2:hts." Just before six o'clock in the evening^ 
she came in range of the Shannon's guns and the 
battle began. It lasted but fifteen minutes. On 
board the Chesapeake the pilot was killed at the 
wheel, the gunners were shot at their guns, and 
the sailors were swept from the deck. The brave 
Lawrence was mortally wounded while urging on 
his men to deeds of valor, and ^^•as carried below. 
As he was taken from the deck he said to his 
men, " Don't give up the ship ! " The vessels 
were lashed together, and Captain Broke boldly 
led his men aboard tlie Chesapeake. Lieutenant 



172 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

Ludlow, who was second in command, thougli 
twice wounded, rushed on deck at the head of a 
dozen brave lads and tried to drive back the 
British. The brave Ludlow was killed, his little 
band v/as driven from the deck, the American 
flag was hauled down, and the Chesapeake be- 
came a prisoner of war. She was taken to Hali- 
fax, and there side by side, ^vith the honors of 
war, were buried brave Captain Lawrence and 
his gallant Lieutenant Ludlow. 

In 1813 the British had control of the lakes 
along our northern boundary, and were preparing 
to lead an army across from Canada into the 
United States. In the spring Oliver Hazard 
Perry was appointed to command the fleet of 
four small vessels on Lake Erie. AVhen Perry 
took command in the early spring, the timber 
from which his other ^\q ships were to be made 
was still growing in the forest on the shore of the 
lake. On the 10th of July his vessels were com- 
pleted, but he had no sailors ^vith which to man 
them. AYhile impatiently waiting for men he 
wrote to Commodore Chauncey, " Give me men, 
sir, and I will acquire both for you and myself 
honor and glory on this lake, or perish in the at- 
tempt." 

On the 10th of September Perry weighed 
anchor and went out to engage in the deadly 



SOME NAVAL HEROES. 173 

struggle of war \vitli Captain Barclay, commander 
of the British fleet. Perry was a young man and 
had never seen a naval battle. Barclay was an 
experienced sea captain who had lost an arm 
in the service under the great Kelson. The sky 
was clear, the lake was smooth, and a light breeze 
gently wafted the two scpiadrons together. Perry 
had named his flagship the Lawrence, in honor 
of the brave captain who was killed in his fight 
with the Shannon. As the fleets neared each 
other, Perry hoisted over the Lawrence a Lirge 
blue banner on an hich were printed in wdiite letters 
" Don't give up the ship ! " This was the signal 
for action, and was greeted with loud cheers from 
the Americans. The shouts of the men were im- 
mediately drowned in the roaring of the cannon. 
Barclay turned his heaviest guns on the Lawrence, 
and she ANas soon torn and shattered. Only four- 
teen of her cre\v of one hundred and three men 
remained fit for duty. With his oami hand young 
Perry fired the last gun, leaped into an open 
boat, and carried his banner to the Niagara, a half 
mile distant, where he was received with rousing 
cheers from the men. 

The Niagara was strong and her men were 
fresh. Periy immediately bore do^vn upon his 
crippled enemy, and, passing through his line of 
vessels, he fired into them left and rio-ht with 



174 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

the heavy guns of the Niagara. In a few minutes 
the British flag on the Detroit was lowered and 
the battle was ended. Perry immediately wrote 
to General Harrison, " We have met the enemy, 
and they are ours." 

During the two years and a half of war, on 
whatever sea the British and American vessels 
met there was sure to be a battle. Our sailor 
boys were not at all times the victors ; but, 
whether in victory or in defeat, they always 
showed the same bravery and devotion to duty. 
The little navy was not swept from the sea, but 
became more powerful as the war continued. It 
compelled the boasted " mistress of the seas " to 
respect the American flag and the rights of 
American sailors, and fully established American 
independence. 

Until the Merrimac and the Monitor met in 
Hampton Eoads the vforld had never seen a bat- 
tle between two iron ships. Among the navies of 
all nations there were none defended by iron- 
clads. When nations beheld the destruction of 
the Cumberland and Congress by the Merrimac, 
they realized how helpless would be their navies 
against such a vessel. 

This was not a struggle between America and 
a foreign foe. Our country was divided, and 
Americans were fighting against Americans ; 



SOME NAVAL HEROES. 175 

friends were arrayed agaiust friends and brothers 
were opposing brothers. The South was arrayed 
in deadly combat against the Korth. 

A large fleet lay in the harbor at Norfolk, 
Yiro-iuia. "" Here it was burned, that it might not 
falllnto the hands of the Confederates. Among 
the vessels destroyed was the Merrimac, which 
burned to the hull and sank. She was after- 
ward raised fi^om the water, rebuilt, and covered 
with two plates of iron each two inches in thick- 
ness. Her bow was armed with a cast-inm prow 
four feet in length. The salt water had so affect- 
ed her machinery that she moved rather slowly, 
l)ut she was l)ullet-proof and mounted ten heavy 
guns. She was commanded l)y Franklin Buchan- 
an, who had held an important position in the 
United States navy. He surrounded himself with 
brave and capable officers. His sailors had seen 
long service in the navy of the Union. From the 
arn^y of Eichmond were chosen the best gunners 
to man the guns. 

AYhile the Merrimac was being rebuilt at Nor- 
folk, the shipbuilders at the New York navy 
yard were hastening to complete the Monitor. 
It was invented by John Ericsson, and was wholly 
unlike any other vessel afloat. When it was 
learned at the North that the Merrimac ^^'as 
almost completed, Commodore Porter was sent to 



176 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

examine the little Monitor. He carefully in- 
spected every part, then telegraphed to the War 
Department, "This is the strongest fighting ves- 
sel in the world, and can whip anything afloat." 
Through their spies at the North the Confed- 
erates learned that the Monitor was fast nearing 
completion. They doubled their working force 
that the Merrimac might be afloat before the 
Monitor was finished. 

John L. Worden was placed in command of the 
doughty little Monitor and was sent to Hampton 
Roads to meet his strong antagonist. His voyage 
was a dangerous one. The sailors were strangers 
to each other and to the Monitor. The sea was 
rough, and often the mighty waves threatened 
the destruction of the untried vessel. 

On the 8th day of March, 1862, the Merrimac 
was completed and steamed down the Elizabeth 
River on her errand of destruction. The banks 
of the river were lined with people, who cheered 
and shouted as the iron monster floated by. As 
they gazed upon her huge iron sides and powerful 
guns they were happy in the thought that she 
would soon sweep the United States navy from 
the sea. They thought not of the little Monitor, 
bravely battling against an angry ocean, on her 
way to meet her big enemy. 

As the Merrimac proudly and boldly steamed 



SOME NAVAL HEROES. 177 

out of tiie river, there lay in Hampton Roads 
three large wooden vessels — the Minnesota, Roa- 
noke, and St. Lawrence — carrying one hundred 
and thirty guns. Seven miles above lay the 
Congress and the Cumberland, with eighty guns. 
Their officers had no thought of danger until the 
Merrimac \vas seen rounding a bend in the coast 
about one o'clock in the afternoon. 

The Minnesota hastened out to meet the ene- 
my, but ran agi'ound. The Merrimac passed by 
her and made straiglit for the Congress and the 
Cimiberland, which opened tire on her while she 
was more than half a mile away. She passed by 
the Congress and rushed at the Cumberland, heed- 
less of the shower of heavy shot that l)attered 
away at her sides. Her strong ii'on prow pierced 
the hull of the Cumberland, and she went down, 
with her colors flying and her gunners fighting as 
long as their guns were above water. Such brav- 
ery even won the admiration of the enemy. The 
Merrimac slowly backed away from the sinking 
Cumberland, and tliree times swept the deck of 
the Congress with her heavy guns. The ill-fated 
vessel tried to get nearer the shore, but grounded. 
There she lay helpless on the shoals while the 
gunners from the Merrimac fired hot shot into her 
until she was in flames. 

The Merrimac anchored off Sewell's Point and 



178 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

waited for the coming day, when she would com- 
plete the deadly work she had so well begun. 
The news of the battle was flashed throughout 
the country. At the North there was great sor- 
row ; in the South there was great rejoicing. 

At nine o'clock the little Monitor arrived. 
She looked so small that few believed she would 
be able to cope with the powerful Merrimac. At 
two o'clock in the mornino; she was ordered to 
take her position near the Minnesota, which still 
lay aground. The day dawned clear and bright. 
The sea was calm and beautiful, the smoke was 
still ascending from the ruins of the Congress, 
and the flags of the Cumberland were still flying 
over the grave of her brave crew. 

Early in the morning the Merrimac weighed 
anchor and made for the Minnesota. When Cap- 
tain Buchanan saw the strange, queer vessel lying 
near, he knew it to be the Monitor, of which he 
had learned through the Southern spies.* The 
Merrimac passed on, but soon returned. When 
within a mile she unlimbered her guns and 
opened fire. The roll of the drum on the Monitor 
called her men to arms, and the little giant went 
out to meet the iron-clad monster. It was a 
strange sight to the many people who anxiously 
watched on the shore. 

As the little Monitor darted out from the 



SOME NAVAL HEROES. 179 

Minnesota tlie Merrimac stopped her engines, 
viewed the odd vessel, then a second time opened 
fire. The shot whizzed harmlessly over the Mon- 
itor and splashed into the water beyond. The 
powerful eleven-inch guns of the Monitor returned 
the fire, their heavy shot striking the iron sides of 
the Meri'imac \vitli terrible force. A broadside 
from the Merrimac followed, but ^vith no effect. 
Nearer and nearer they approached eacli other, 
firing as they came. The Monitor got alongside 
and kept so near her antagonist that she could use 
but few of her mins, while the revolving* tower of 
the Monitor enabled her to keep up a ceaseless 
fire. 

Now and then the firing would cease for a 
moment, the smoke A\'ould clear a\vay, and Captain 
Buchanan would h^ok out to see wliether he had 
destroyed " the plucky little Monitor." He al- 
ways found her unharmed and ready for battle. 
Soon would come one of her dreadful shot, shak- 
ing the iron sides of her huge enemy. Thus for 
almost t^vo hours the battle raged, with but little 
result on either side. 

The Merrimac then ti'ied to nm down her lit- 
tle antagonist as she had done the Cumberland, 
but the Monitor was too quick for the clumsy 
ironclad, and so easily glided out of harm's way. 
Again and again did she try to pierce the sides of 



180 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

tlie Monitor, but as often failed. Growing tired 
of her unsuccessful efforts, tlie Merrimac turned 
from tlie wary foe and again steamed toward the 
Minnesota, which immediately opened her guns 
upon the approaching enemy. The fearless little 
Monitor hastened to place herself between the two 
vessels, but she did not succeed before the sides 
of the Minnesota had been pierced by three 
shells from the Merrimac. Again the Merrimac 
tried to thrust her iron beak through the armor 
of the Monitor and again failed. Suddenly the 
Monitor tm-ned around and moved off in an un- 
usual manner. A shell from the Merrimac had 
exploded and disabled Captain Word en. Lieu- 
tenant Greene succeeded to the command, with 
orders to continue the fight. However, the battle 
was at an end. After a struggle lasting three 
hours the Meriimac steamed away to Norfolk for 
repairs, and the Monitor again took her station 
near the Minnesota. The little giant thus saved 
the Union fleet and the nation's honor in a battle 
such as the world had not yet kno\^Ti. 



CHAPTER XV. 

ROME AMEKICAX BOYS OF GENIUS. 

Man still can do what man has done: 

There is no mount, howe'er so high, 
But up its side some path may run 

To lead the climber toward the sky. 
lie is not wise who bides the time 

When friends shall reach to lift him there ; 
For only those who dare to climb 

May hope to reach the upper air. 

IxvEXTous have been more powerful for good 
ill the world than have generals, statesmen, and 
kings. Their history, tinged, as it frequently is, 
with sadness, is a history of the countries and 
times in which they have lived. To them is due 
ahnost every comfoi-t we enjoy. The air is free, 
and water is to l)e had without cost ; but one is 
puriiied and tempered, and tlie other dipped from 
the spring or drawn from the well with devices 
phumed by the inventor. We sit comfortably by 
the fire, forgetful of the match that kindled it, 
and of the autlior of the simple invention. We 
pour water from our pitchers and drink from our 

181 



182 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

cups witliout thinking that these are from the 
hand of the inventor. Every article of use that 
we enjoy, from the least to the greatest, has been 
wrought out in secret, and oft times in sadness, by 
the tireless inventor. He invented the fii-ecracker 
that brings gladness to the hearts of the boys at 
Christmas time. He likewise planned the great 
guns that hurl their heavy shot a distance of 
twenty miles, destroying buildings and breaking 
down the strong walls of cities. The needle in 
the hand of the patient sewing girl, as well as the 
mighty ship that plows the deep, is the result of 
the inventor's labor. In the trace that fastens the 
horse to the plow, and in the engine that turns 
the machinery for grinding the grain, is seen the 
inventor's genius. 

The greatest inventions of the last century 
have been made by Americans. One hundred 
years ago the stagecoach was the fastest means of 
travel by land, and on the water the speed of the 
vessel was governed by the sj^eed of the wind. 
Our only means of communication was by mail, 
carried in a lumberiuo; stao-ecoach. Under the 
burning Southern sun dusky slaves toiled from 
morn till night separating the seed of the cotton 
from the fiber. 

It is different now. The ocean steamer speeds 
across the Atlantic in less than a week. The swift 



SOME AMERICAN BOYS OF GEXIUS. 183 

iron horse, guided by the hand of his master, rushes 
across the continent in a few days. Through the 
electric telegraph news from every part of our 
country is brought to us with the swiftness of 
thought. The oceans are spanned by the cable, 
and we hear from other countries as we hear 
from our neighbors. Hundreds of cotton gins 
are busy in the South, each one doing the work 
of seventy slaves. We can sit in our offices and 
in our homes and talk with our fi'iends a hundred 
miles away. From the lightning that flashes 
across the sky and frightens children we have 
been given the electric light which makes our 
homes and our streets almost as bright as day. 
All these changes have been wrought by Ameri- 
can inventors. 

Fifty years have not passed since Elias Ho^ve 
completed and exhibited to his friends the first 
sewing machine. It was very imperfect, and was 
very unlike the sewing machine of to-day, but this 
machine, rude as it was, opened the way for other 
inventors. 

The early life of Howe was spent on his 
father s farm. Here he worked in the mills in 
summer, and in winter attended the country 
school. He was of feeble constitution and lame 
fi'om his childhood, and was thus kept from join- 
ing in the sports of his young companions. At 



1S4 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

the age of sixteen he left his father's farm and 
went to Lowell. In the great cotton mills of this 
busy city he labored with his cousin N. P. Banks, 
who afterward became a noted general in the 
Union army. 

At the age of twenty-one he married. That 
he might provide for his family he increased his 
labors. At the close of the day his feeble body 
would be so exhausted that he could not eat the 
humble meal his devoted wife had prepared for 
him. There was at that time great need of a 
sewing machine. Many people talked of the 
need, and spoke of the future awaiting the man 
who should make the invention. Howe's poverty 
forced him to make the effort, but he sj)oke to 
no one of his purpose. During a whole year he 
thouo-ht and worked on his invention. His ill 
health and poverty increased with his labor. At 
length his plans were completed, but he was too 
poor to buy the material with which to make his 
model. He applied to a friend, who took him and 
his family into his home and gave him a garret 
for his workshop. Here he labored on his model 
from early morning until far into the night dur- 
ing the winter of 1844-45. When spring came, it 
found his model finished. He gave it a trial be- 
fore his friends, and they thought it wonderful. 
He offered it to the public, and all men admired 



SOME AMERICAN BOYS OF GENIUS 185 

it, but none were willing to assist the poor in- 
ventor by investing their money in it. 

He became discoui'aged, gave \\\) his machine, 
and became an engineer. Here he worked until 
his health gave way. Then he again gave his 
time and efforts to his invention. As he could 
secure no aid in America, he left his native coun- 
try and sailed for England. Here his machine 
secured for him employment, and he sent for his 
family. At the end of eight months he was out 
of employment in a strange country, and his wife 
and children were without food. 

By the assistance of his friends in America he 
was able to send his family home. Soon after- 
ward he shipped his goods to America and fol- 
lowed them in anotlier vessel. He reached the 
bedside of his sick wife just before her death. In 
the midst of this sorro\v he received a letter ^vllich 
told him that the ship carrying his goods had been 
wrecked and all on board had been swallowed up 
by tlie angry watei's. 

Through this darkness and gloom there came 
a ray of light to cheer him. While he was in 
England his machine had become known at home, 
its value was appreciated, and the inventor had 
become famous. The royalty on his machine soon 
brought him a fortune, and he was enabled to rest 
from his life of toil and enjoy what he had won 

13 



186 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

under great difficulties. Thus the sun which to 
him rose in darkness shone brightly on the even- 
tide of his life. 

In Trinity churchyard, close by the harbor 
where lie at anchor the fleets of many nations, 
lies the body of Robert Fulton, whose invention 
has covered the oceans and the seas with steam, 
ships. He was born in Little Britain County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1765. The name of the county 
has since been changed to Fulton, in honor of the 
inventor. In school he was considered a dull boy, 
but was fond of drawing pictures and of visiting 
the machine shops of the neighborhood. He was 
always a welcome visitor, for he knew many things 
about machinery which were useful to the work- 
men. His mother and teacher often declared he 
would never accomplish anything, because he 
cared so little for his studies. They were forget- 
ful of the fact that there is much to be learned 
outside of books. His boyhood days were spent 
in the exciting times of the great Revolution. 
He early learned of the oppression of England, 
and his young heart was kindled into a glow 
of patriotism. With brush and crayon he fre- 
quently drew laughable pictures of the English 
and the royal governors. When but thirteen 
years of age he declared, "There is nothing im- 
possible." 



SOME AMERICAN BOYS OF GENIUS 187 

Fulton frequently went out on fishing excur- 
sions with a gentleman and his son. It was the 
duty of the boys to manage the canoe, which they 
did by means of long poles. Young Robert be- 
came tired of this kind of sport, and, before the 
next excursion, constructed some paddles with 
which he could more easily control the canoe. 
This was the first step toward the steamboat 
^vllich he invented twenty years later. 

His skill with the brush increased as he grew 
older, and he painted many pictures of much 
merit. Feeling that there were no masters in 
Ameiica under which he could continue the study 
of art, he provided a comfortable home for his 
mother and sailed for England. Wliile there he 
was often befriended by Benjamin Franklin, who 
was then representing Pennsylvania at the king's 
court. He brought out many inventions, wliich 
gave him money and renown. From England he 
went to France, where he remained seven years, 
and completed his first steamboat. Many men had 
tried to use steam as an agent in the movement of 
boats, but all had failed. In 1803 Fulton com- 
pleted his first boat on the river Seine in France. 
A few days before he ^vas to give it a public trial 
the heavy machinery broke it to pieces and it sank 
to the bottom of the river. With his own hands 
he assisted in raising and repairing it. So great 



188 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

was his anxiety that he neither ate nor slept for 
twenty -four hours. 

As soon as he was sure of success in his efforts 
he returned to America and began building a boat 
on the banks of the Hudson. He was ridiculed^ 
likened unto Noah and his ark, and considered 
insane ; but he continued unto success. On the 
11th day of August, 1807, the Clermont was ready 
for her voyage, and Fulton invited many of his 
intimate friends on board. They came to show 
him respect, but felt sure they would witness his 
failure. When the signal was given to start, the 
great engine belched forth volumes of smoke and 
flame, the vessel trembled for a moment, then 
slowly moved out into the current. Wild cheers 
rent the air, but they soon died away into hisses 
and jeers, for the Clermont had stopped. 

This was a trying moment for FultoD. He 
spoke a few words to his friends on the boat and 
the crowd on the shore, then hurried below and 
adjusted some of the machinery. At the given 
signal the engines were again set to work, the 
Clermont started on her first voyage up the Hud- 
son, and Fulton took his place among the great 
inventors of the world. As she steamed up the 
beautiful river, the people on shore gazed in won- 
der at the huge, fiery monster. The fishermen in 
sailboats either hastened to the shore or fell ter- 



SOME AMERICAN BOYS OF GENIUS. 189 

ror-stricken upon the decks. From this invention 
great good has gone out to all the countries of the 
world. 

Each one of the many hundreds of cotton gins 
erected in the Southern States is a monument to 
the genius of Eli AVhitney. He was bom in 
AVest borough, Massachusetts, December 8, 1765. 
At the age of twenty-seven he graduated from 
Yale College and went to Savannah to teach school, 
but, failing to get a position, he began the study 
of law. While living in Savannah he boarded 
witli Mrs. Greene, the widow of General Greene, 
of the Eevolutionary War. 

Cotton was the chief production of the South, 
but the cost of separating the seed from the fiber 
was so great that there was but little profit in 
raising it. Many famiers were talking of turning 
their attention to something else. Almost all the 
farms were covered with mortgages, and the out- 
look for the Southern people was very gloomy. 
Every one was discussing the depressed condition 
of trade. If any one could invent a machine to 
lessen the labor of cotton-raising, the future of the 
South would be made much brierhter. 

At such a time Mrs. Greene introduced young 
Whitney, with the remark that he could make 
anything he desired. He was urged to attempt 
to make such a machine as the Southern people 



190 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

needed. He promised nothing, but set to work. 
He had never seen growing cotton, and he had 
no tools mth which to work. He secured a few 
pounds of cotton at the wharf, made his own tools, 
and entered upon his task which was to bring to 
him honor and to his country wealth. In secret he 
patiently worked upon his invention during the 
winter of 1792. He carefully guarded his secret, 
but it got out, and, when he had his invention 
almost completed, some men broke open his work- 
house and carried it away. It was afterward 
returned, but his plan had been copied, and from 
the copy many machines were made. Thus the 
great mine of wealth so nearly within his reach 
was stolen from him by these wicked men. 

In Connecticut Whitney built a factory for the 
manufacture of his machines. He brought many 
suits against those who were using his patent, but 
the Southern courts always decided against him. 
In return for the great wealth he had bestowed 
upon the South, South Carolina gave him fifty 
thousand dollars, and North Carolina collected a 
royalty on every gin used within her boundaries. 

When his patent expired Congress refused to 
renew it, and he turned his attention to the im- 
provement of firearms. He built a large factory, 
made his own tools, and turned out the most im- 
proved firearms of his day. In this work he was 



SOME AMERICAN BOYS OF GENIUS. 191 

better rewarded. After a life of labor and use- 
fulness he died at the age of sixty. 

No invention has been more gladly received or 
has added more to the wealth of our country than 
has the reaper. The great prairies of America 
are especially ada^Dted to wheat, but with the 
sickle and the cradle as the only machines with 
which to cut it the harvest was not so plenteous. 
When the reaper appeared it lightened the work 
and increased the harvest. 

It has been more than fifteen hundred years 
since the first clumsy reaper was used in the val- 
leys of France. It was so clumsy that it was 
almost useless and soon disappeared. The next 
reaper was invented by Cyrus McCormick, and 
appeared upon the plains of the New World. It 
was very unlike the self-binder that now lays low 
the great forests of grain, but it was considered a 
w^onderful machine. The position of the sickle 
has been changed and the horses no longer push 
the machine, but are hitched in front and draw 
their burden after them. 

The inventor was born February 15, 1809, in 
Rockbridge, Virginia, where he spent his boyhood 
days. His father had long tried to invent a 
machine with which to cut wheat, but had failed. 
It was left to the son to accomplish the task and 
bring to himself fame and fortune. Like all other 



-[92 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

inventors, he patiently toiled and anxiously waited, 
but when liis work was done his reward was great. 
His name was honored in both the New and the 
Old Workl. He won prizes in national and world 
competitions. France bestowed upon him the 
honor of knighthood. He removed to Chicago 
and began the manufacture of his reapers. In 
May, 1884, he died, leaving his business in the 
hands of his sons. 

Unlike all other inventors is Thomas A. Edison, 
whose inventions are so new and wonderful. Most 
inventions are the result of accident or experiment. 
The inventors guessed that such a thing might be 
true, then groped their way in the darkness until 
they canie upon the things desired. Edison first 
learns all he can about the things known in Nature, 
then, w^th this knowledge to aid him, he selects 
the road that he thinks will most likely lead him 
to the desired result. If he fails in this direction, 
he returns and starts upon the next most suitable 
course. This he follows far into the beautiful land 
of the unknown, stopping not to eat or sleep until 
he has reached the goal. 

Edison was born in Erie County, New York, 
February 11, 1847. He had no childhood. His 
youth was spent in contriving and building, leaving 
him no time for the sports enjoyed by children. 
His mother and Nature were his teachers. From 



SOME AMERICAN BOYS OF GEXIUS. 193 

his mother be learned liis lessons and tlieir value 
in his daily life. His home was surrounded by 
forest and hills, and close by a river flowed. From 
these he learned many lessons that greatly aroused 
his young spirit and aided him in his life w^ork. 

AVhen he was twelve years of age he became 
a train-boy, selling oranges, apples, and candies. 
At this work he earned two thousand dollars, 
which he turned over to his jDarents. Afterward 
he joined a library association and resolved to read 
every book on the shelves. It was a large task 
for a boy, but he kept at it until the last book 
had been read. When he was a few years older, 
with his earnings he bought a jDrinting outfit and 
began publishing a paper. His office was a freight 
car attached to the regular train. Here was edited 
and published the Grand Trunk Herald, which 
found ready sale among the patrons of the road. 
While publishing his paper he began experiment- 
ing in chemistry. In one of his experiments he 
caused an explosion, which burned his office, and 
caused him to be put off the train. Shortly after 
this accident he saved the life of a telegraph 
operator's little child by snatching her from before 
a rapidly moving train. The operator taught him 
telegraphy as an expression of his gratitude to him 
for saving his child. At the age of seventeen he 
was moved by a desire to go to South America, 



194 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

but, after making a tour tlirough tlie Southern 
States, part of the time on foot, lie returned home. 
There he continued his studies and experiments 
until he has surpassed all other Americans as an 
inventor. 

He now lives in Orange, New Jersey, where 
he owns a beautiful home and the greatest labora- 
tory in the world. Though his name is known in 
every land, he remains the same earnest toiler, 
declaring that '^ a man is to be measured by what 
he does and not by what is said of him." 

In his busy life he has completed more than 
thirty inventions. The greatest and most wonder- 
ful of these are known to almost every boy and 
girl in the United States. They are the telephone, 
the phonograph, and the electric light. He is now 
engaged in a further study of electricity, and the 
world need not be surprised to hear that he has 
brought forth an invention even more wonderful 
than the phonograph. 

By the invention of the magnetic telegraph all 
the world has been bound together in bonds of 
closest sympathy. If one country suffers by fam- 
ine or flood, the news is borne on swiftest wings to 
all parts of the world, and all other nations send 
relief. S. F. B. Morse is the author of this inven- 
tion. He was born at Charlestown, Massachusetts, 
on the 27th of April, 1791. He graduated at Yale 



SOME AMERICAN BOYS OF GENIUS. 195 

College and studied art in Europe, where the ex- 
cellence of his work won for him a prize and the 
praise of artists. At the end of four years he was 
without means and was compelled to retui'n to 
Ameiica. 

Though lack of money turned him aside from 
his work as an artist, he did a greater service for 
himself and his country in another line. By faith- 
ful labor and ceaseless experiment he invented a 
system of telegraphy. He desired to build a line 
on which to try his invention, but he had no money 
with which to carry out his purpose. He applied 
to Congi-ess for aid, but received only ridicule. 
No one believed in the success of his invention. 

Like Howe, he turned to Europe for assistance. 
From country to country he traveled and pleaded 
the cause of his invention, but was at length com- 
pelled to return to America discouraged and pen- 
niless. He again petitioned Congress for aid, but 
few took any interest in his cause. The winter 
wore away, and no assistance was offered. Be- 
fore the close of the session he had spent all his 
money. On the last day he returned to his hotel 
and arranged for his departure. Next morning, 
while he was eat ins: his breakfast in silence and- 
sadness, his eye fell upon the statement in the 
paper that at the last moment Congress had voted 
him the aid he desired. Full of hope, he entered 



196 STORIES OF COLUMBIA. 

upon the task before him. He built the line. 
When everything was completed he invited his 
friends to witness the first trial. The key was 
touched, and over the wire flew the first message^ 
and with equal swiftness the answer was returned. 
His patience and courage had brought him the vic- 
tory, and with it wealth and honor. 

Such is the history of a few of the mighty 
host of American inventors who have done such 
marvelous things for the happiness and civiliza- 
tion of the world. 



THE END. 



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